fundraiser – Smurfit MBA Blog

UCD Smurfit MBA Graduation Ball raises €8,500 for Spinal Injuries Ireland

Fabulous frocks and classy tuxedos were the order of the evening at the annual UCD Smurfit MBA Graduation Ball, which was held on December 10th at The Gibson Hotel, Dublin. This year, the organising committee decided to use the Ball as an opportunity to raise funds for Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII). With over 110 people in attendance, the black-tie event was a complete success.

All money raised by Smurfit MBA graduates, current students, alumni, Aspire scholars, and Smurfit school staff, together with their partners and friends, will help SII to provide effective support services for individuals with a spinal cord injury and their families.

Special guest, Kevin Dempsey from SII explained the invaluable work of the charity before guests were treated to a four-course meal, followed by a raffle and charity auction, masterfully compared by Jack Mac Giolla-Bhride. Auction items included signed Leinster and Ireland rugby jerseys, a top-of-the-range Whirlpool washing machine, and five-star hotel getaways. Bidding was hotly contested with Cormac Kelleher, Sean Griffin and Michelle Mary McEvoy walking away with the top lots.

There were also several spot prizes awarded, including Best Dressed Lady (Muireann McCarthy) and Best Dressed Gent (Conor Connolly) and Most Air Miles Travelled (Vince and Sonya Cooney). After the meal, guests were entertained by 80s super group Spring Break and dancing continued into the wee hours of the morning.

The event, which raised €8,500 for Spinal Injuries Ireland, was organised by Dorothy Chestnutt, Barbara Gilleran, Ciarán Reilly and John Ryan (UCD MBA Class of 2016). Spinal Injuries Ireland CEO Fiona Bolger said: “We were delighted that the organising committee selected SII as their charity partner for the graduation ball. In addition to the amazing donations that we received, the event helped to raise awareness of the devastating impact that a spinal cord injury can have. On average, one person sustains a spinal cord injury every week and it can happen to anyone at any stage. The funds raised from the event will go towards crucial services such as our Community Outreach Programme which provides support and information to people living with a spinal cord injury and their families.”

The organising committee presents Kevin Dempsey of Spinal injuries Ireland with a cheque for €8,500. (Pictured L-R: Ciarán Reilly, Barbara Gilleran, Kevin Dempsey, Dorothy Chestnutt, John Ryan) — The organising committee presents Kevin Dempsey of Spinal injuries Ireland with a cheque for €8,500 (Pictured L-R: Ciarán Reilly, Barbara Gilleran, Kevin Dempsey, Dorothy Chestnutt, John Ryan)

The organising committee were delighted that the event was successful with vital funds being raised for a very worthy cause. The committee would like to acknowledge the generous support of all those who helped in the run up to the ball, prize donors and sponsors, especially our main sponsor Enowine, who supplied wine for the event. In addition, sincere thanks for the incredible generosity by all who came to the event and to those who unfortunately could not join us, yet still donated.

Best wishes for 2017!

2016 MBA Graduation Ball Committee ~ Dorothy Chestnutt, Barbara Gilleran, Ciarán Reilly, and John Ryan

MBA Gala Ball in Aid of Spinal Injuries Ireland

Smurfit MBAs are cordially invited to this year’s MBA Gala Ball in aid of Spinal Injuries Ireland

Excitement is building among this years’ UCD Smurfit MBA graduating class for the Gala Ball in the Gibson Hotel, Dublin on Saturday 10^th December 2016. This year the conventional graduation ball will double as a Black Tie charity event in aid of Spinal Injuries Ireland. The organising committee also wishes to extend an invite to the current Smurfit MBA classes and Smurfit MBA alumni.

The committee have been busy in recent weeks organising everything behind the scenes! Guests will be treated to a four course meal followed by entertainment from in-demand 80’s tribute act, Spring Break. There will also be a raffle and spot prizes on the night. Prizes include overnight stays in four and five star hotels, signed rugby memorabilia, tickets to sports events, and vouchers.

Imagine your life changing irrevocably in a split second. Over 1,800 people in Ireland live with a spinal injury. The majority are aged between 18–35 and 70% never return to work. Spinal Injuries Ireland is the only support service for people who have sustained such injuries. Just 40% of funding is provided by the HSE, the rest is through fundraising and donations. Spinal Injuries Ireland has been trading at a loss for the past two years and therefore is in urgent need of support.

This is a one-time special event and the MBA Class of 2016 would greatly appreciate all the support they can get. This is a fantastic opportunity to network with fellow MBAs, so why not get together and organise a table? Please join us on 10^th December to raise vital funds for Spinal Injuries Ireland and have a great night in the process! Tickets are €100 each. For details on how to purchase your ticket(s), please email mbaball2016@gmail.com.

If you can’t be there on the night, donations are also greatly appreciated. These can be made via PayPal to mbaball2016@gmail.com. Simply include a note that identifies it as a donation. Alternatively, please email us at the above address if you would like to donate using a different payment method.

Finally exclusively for gents: There is a 10% discount on tuxedo hire from Tangos. If 20 people hire a tux from Tangos they will donate 10% of the cost of hire to Spinal Injuries Ireland. Check out Tangos Tuxedo Rental for all information on fittings, location and opening times. To get the code, please email mbaball2016@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

2016 MBA Graduation Ball Committee ~ Dorothy Chestnutt, Barbara Gilleran, Ciarán Reilly, and John Ryan

Mike’s Mo’s: Growing For A Good Cause

Left to right: Vince Cooney, Michael McDonnell, Sumit Chopra, Arka Banerjee, Finbarr Coghlan, Sreekanth Nagabhushana, Siddarth Raghunathan, Patrick Farrell, Minh Le, and Majid Al-Farayedhi (looking like an extra from Tron).

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is most known well for sculpting minds and international leaders. In November, it has also become known for sculpting some of the finest mustaches seen this side of Magnum P.I.’s final episode. As part of the Movember campaign, we’ve been growing mustaches to break the ice, start important conversations, and raise funds for research on hard-to-discuss cancer and mental health issues.

All my wife wants for Christmas is for me to shave this thing off!

"I want you, to support Men's Health and Mental Awareness Initiatives" - Finbarr Coghlan — “I want you, to support Men’s Health and Mental Awareness Initiatives” – Finbarr Coghlan

At time of writing, your very own Smurfit Mike’s Mo’s team is ranked #280 in Ireland. If you’d like to help the cause and bring your team up the ranking, you can do so at the following link. Donations of any and all sizes (just like our Mo’s!) are greatly appreciated.

Click here to donate.

Vote here for the best mo!

Yours, most truly,

Vince Cooney (C.E.Mo.) and his band of merry mustachioed men 

UCD Smurfit Rugby Club Fundraising Dinner

Photo Credit: Peter Kloehn — Former Minister Dick Spring Speaking at the Event

Last Friday night, February 7th, saw the Pillar Room in the Rotunda Hospital come alive for the UCD Smurfit Rugby Football Club Fundraising Dinner and Auction. This event was hosted by the organising committee of the Club from the full-time MBA class of 2013/14. Former Minister Dick Spring and Kingsley Aikens, formerly of the Ireland Funds, were special guests at the event and provided insightful and extremely entertaining accounts of their memories and experiences in the Rugby arena. Minister Michael Noonan was also in attendance to support the event along with MBA Alumni and friends of the MBA.

A great night was had by all and valuable funds have been raised for the 34th Annual MBA Rugby World Cup Championship which will take place in Danville VA from April 11th – 13th 2014. A group of our MBA students will aim to defend the title for the 12th time! Watch this space!