Volunteering
- Your time can make a real difference to the lives of our seriously injured players.
- There are many ways to join the IRFU Charitable Trust as a Volunteer including:
- Support at our different fundraising events and activities.
- Raising awareness for the Charitable Trust in your local rugby club and community.
- Creating an initiative to raise funds in your local community or at your place of work.
- Volunteering will also give you the opportunity to learn new skills and meet like-minded Volunteers who have a passion for our game and a passion to help others.
Without the support of our Volunteers, the IRFU Charitable Trust could not survive; and the help and support the Trust provides to those who have been seriously injured playing the game we love, would be severely jeopardised.
If you would like to show your support and give back to those who have given so much to the game; then we would love to hear from you.
To start your volunteering journey with the Charitable Trust, please contact Linda on +353 (0)1 647 3866 or email charitabletrust@irfu.ie.
Henry Anderson
Henry owns and runs the Bacchus Wines company. Ask him his favourite glass of wine? To which he will reply: “my next”. Henry graduated from St Gerards, Glenstal Abbey, Shannon College of Hotel Management and apart from the comforts of a wonderful home, it was the inspiration of the wheelchair bound Injured Players, their dignity and character which truly set me on a course and commitment to assisting in the work of the Trust.
“Loving care is the only real light there is, in their lives, the Trust are a leading light”.
Stafford Bagot
The IRFU Charitable Trust is an amazing cause and I have seen first-hand the positive impact that it has played on the lives of injured players. The Trust is reliant on the dedication of a number of volunteers who give their time to raising awareness and money and many thanks to everyone who has been called upon to make a donation as every little bit helps.
Eleanor Connolly
Long standing volunteer who helps the Trust with the AON Lunch and Vodafone Ball as well as our Pinergy Golf Outings.
David Cooke
A member of our Corporate Patrons committee.
Jan Cunningham
During his education Jan played rugby for Ulster and Irish Schools, Ireland Under 21s, Ireland Universities and Ireland Students. A well as cricket for Ireland Schools, Ireland Under 19s and Ireland U21s. Jan played for Ulster over 50 times including the 1999 European Cup win, Ireland A level and Ireland 7s. Jan was part of the 2001 AIL winning team for Dungannon RFC.
After professional rugby ended Jan started a career in law with Millar McCall Wylie solicitors and is now a Director. In his spare time he enjoys watching his daughter playing football for Crusaders and coaching his son at Academy RFC.
Ed Kenny
Ed is former referee and was a member of the IRFU National Panel for seven seasons. Ed is currently a Citing Commissioner for professional rugby (European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), United Rugby Championship (URC), Six Nations and World Rugby) and he is also a referee coach for the IRFU National Panel.
Ed became involved as a volunteer in 2021 with the aim of raising awareness of the Charitable Trust across Munster. Ed and the other volunteers have been actively promoting the Trust to Munster Clubs . In addition, the volunteers in Munster plan to host a local event in 2023 to support the Trust.
Johnny Lynch
A member of our Vodafone Rugby Ball committee.
Ciaran Mandal
Ciaran is a Barrister in Dublin. He joined Lansdowne FC for U20s and although coaches insisted on placing numbers 4-8 on his jersey, he was most often found in the wide channels, where he considered himself most effective.
The Charitable Trust is a cause particularly dear to my heart (and not just because I met my wife at a Charitable Trust Ball!). The commitment we learned for each other playing together on the pitch, is most valuable once we are off of it. The work done by the Trust is simply inestimable and it is a privilege to be able to play some small part in it.
Edel McCabe
Edel is the Founder and CEO of Effective Marketing Communications Agency, working with all sectors and business sizes to help grow their business; and recently completed an MBA in Trinity College.
“The IRFU Charitable Trust is a cause close to my heart. For years I was an avid supporter of all things rugby but I had never thought of the impact on seriously injured players. Once I saw the amazing work the Trust do to support and help the players, I could not help but pledge to do all I could to help raise awareness. The Trust bring together my passions – Rugby, Business and Networking.”
Louise Mooney
A member of our Corporate Friends committee.
Sarah O’Connor
A member of our Vodafone Rugby Ball committee.
David O’Reilly
I love all things Rugby and was previously Chairman of Naas RFC. I have travelled widely with the Trust as a ‘walker’ visiting many great countries including NZ, Australia, SA and Argentina. During my travels I have had the opportunity to meet and befriend several of our seriously injured players and their character and sense of purpose inspired me take a bigger role in the Trust in supporting new initiatives. Being part of the Trust means being part of a wider family where ‘support’ and ‘fun’ go hand in hand.
Jacinta O’Rourke
A member of our Vodafone Rugby Ball committee as well as supporting the Trust on all our events.
Dave Priestman
I played senior club rugby, with Old Wesley RFC, for more years than I care to remember – playing either centre or wing, and I played hard. However, I never considered that I could be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of my life, as a result of a “crash tackle”. I am one of the lucky ones, but there are 36 people in Ireland, who are not so lucky, and that is why I am giving something back to them, as a volunteer with the IRFU Charitable Trust. Because they are worth it!
Bertie Smith
I have been involved in rugby, probably non-stop, since the age of 12 when I first caught, passed and kicked a rugby ball. Since then my involvement has been divided into 3 thirds, each almost equal, playing, refereeing and administering, all at various levels. I have been a Friend of the Charitable Trust since 2002. My first active contribution was joining the CT Walk in 2019 at the World Cup in Japan. It was the most fantastic trip in the most fantastic country that I have ever visited.
In 2021, I was asked by the Committee to mobilise the Munster Clubs into joining as Friends. I and 4 others contacted 55 clubs and to date 36 have joined up. I would hope that this number can be doubled, including Munster Schools and Businesses, for what is a most worthwhile cause. I am most happy to be part of the Trust which is indeed an honour and a privilege.
Colette Vogel
I got involved with the Trust for selfish reasons, the secret of living is giving, when we volunteer our brain rewards us with happy chemicals, volunteering with the trust has let me be involved in a tiny way in the life-changing work they do. The Trusts tireless work impacts enormously on the day to day lives of injured players. It’s an honour and privilege to be involved.
Shane Whelan
Leading the committee for the Vodafone Rugby Ball ensuring a great night is always had!
Shane is the founder of Westridge – a property investment company.
Ireland’s Call Six Nations Gala Ball Committee
Frank Gannon, Helen Gannon, John Jacobs, Stephen Jacobs, Keith Lowe, Linda Lynch, Paul McEnroe, Tanya McEnroe, Antoinette Redmond, Audrey Toner.
