Our CSR Programme - CluneTech Cares, is a fantastic representation of what we are - a team of truly caring individuals giving our best to support and add value, not only to our customers, but also to the communities in which we operate. CluneTech Cares is employee-led and has three key pillars: Wellness, Culture & Community, and Sustainability. It has been a busy quarter so make sure to check out some of our latest activities below.
With one of the key pillars of our CSR Programme CluneTech Cares being sustainability, we couldn’t forget all of our recent CSR events under the #CluneTechGoesGreen umbrella which we organised for our staff during the month of April.
Every year, in celebration of World Earth Day, CluneTech Goes Green for the month of April to raise awareness about the environment and learn more about what we can do for our planet across our day to day lives.
During the month of April, we shared daily tips and tricks with our colleagues on how we can change aspects of our lifestyles for the better of our planet through our dedicated internal comms platform, Workvivo. We also celebrated #CluneTechGoesGreen with a 5K Green Walk around our Kilkenny HQ. For each employee that participated, we donated 10 euros to Leave No Trace, Ireland’s only Outdoor Ethics Education Programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation.
Thanks to our team's support and participation throughout the month, CluneTech donated over €200 to our dedicated sustainability charity, Leave No Trace Ireland which will go towards their work sustaining a healthy and vibrant outdoor environment for everyone. Well done to all of our amazing colleagues for their participation this month.
In honour of World MS Day, throughout the month of May, we dedicated our CSR Spotlight to supporting multiple sclerosis awareness charities and support organisations and the incredible work they do providing a wide range of services and support that are often a lifeline for thousands of people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Our main beneficiaries of the month were both MS Ireland and the MS - Moga Sam organisation in Bulgaria.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland (MS Ireland) is the only National Organisation providing information, support and advocacy services to the MS community. MS Ireland provides a wide range of specialised services and resources on a national, regional and local level.
Their services include Regional Community Worker programmes for one-to-one support, physiotherapy, symptom management courses, newly diagnosed sessions and the MS Information Line, one of the first services used in the time leading up to or following a diagnosis.
The MS – Moga sam organisation in Bulgaria was founded by Bilyana Savova. At the age of 40, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Bilyana started the organisation in 2013 to support people with multiple sclerosis by helping them deal with their diagnosis both mentally and physically as well as guiding them towards healthy lifestyle changes that can improve a range of MS symptoms.
Over the course of the month, CluneTech Cares donated a total of €380 to our dedicated charities of the month. Well done to all of our amazing colleagues for their participation this month.
This June, we dedicated our CSR Spotlight to Pride Month in support and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. All donations go towards several incredibly deserving LGBT+ support organisations and charities.
June is Pride Month, when the world’s LGBT communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Pride gatherings are rooted in the arduous history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are.
The original organisers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement.
During the month of June, not only did our teams get involved in fundraising walks at both of our office locations in Kilkenny and Dublin, but they also took part in a number of fundraising pride month activities including CluneTech’s Pride Playlist competition where each employee submitted their favourite song by an LGBTQ+ artist or a song that embodies the spirit of pride. The playlist officially debuted at our Irish summer party along with being available on Spotify for all to enjoy.
Thanks to our team's participation throughout the month, CluneTech has made a monetary donation in support of our LGBTQ+ organisations and charities. Well done to all of our amazing colleagues for their participation this month.
WeCan is a not-for-profit that empowers adults with intellectual disabilities through meaningful employment that has a positive impact on the environment.
The story of WeCan all began in March 2024 when CluneTech dedicated their monthly CSR Spotlight to Autism Awareness. Following an interview with Johnny McCarthy, CluneTech Facilities Manager, and his son Adam McCarthy, who has autism, CluneTech became eager to find a way to provide meaningful employment to those in our communities with intellectual disabilities. The rest, you could say is history and the idea of WeCan came to life.
We’re incredibly proud to be working with the Work4Life Employment Support team from SOS Kilkenny CLG, a wonderful not-for-profit organisation that supports people with intellectual disabilities and autism in Kilkenny.
How does it work?
Together with their colleagues, the project’s ambassadors will spend up to 15 hours per week visiting the supporters (businesses, hotels, pubs, cafes, leisure centres and more) to collect returnable cans and bottles. The ambassadors receive payment for the hours they’ve worked, and any excess funds generated through the initiative will be donated to various charities to further support our community and reinvested into the project to maximise its impact.
Thanks to the support of the community of Kilkenny, we have already built a fantastic network of businesses who are joining us on this journey. Eddie Langton, Langtons Hotel Kilkenny shares how WeCan offers companies a sustainable and practical solution for recycling their cans and bottles.
If you’re interested in coming on board as a supporter, please email wecan@clunetech.com.
Together, WeCan all make the world a better, more inclusive and more environmentally friendly place.
At the start of Q2, we were ecstatic to announce CluneTech as the proud sponsors of Kilkenny County & City Lawn Tennis Club's brand new Padel Tennis Court.
Founded in 1879, Kilkenny Tennis Club is a not-for-profit club with all funds generated being reinvested in their tennis facilities and the development of the game. With over 1,200 members, the club is one of the largest and best regional tennis clubs in Ireland and it is very much at the heart of the community here in Kilkenny.
Thanks to this investment, Kilkenny Tennis Club are the first in the region to offer Padel Tennis, the world’s fastest-growing racket sport, to its members.
Speaking about the sponsorship, Terry Clune, CEO and Founder of CluneTech said
“As an organisation, we are passionate about giving back and we are proud to support a number of fantastic local clubs in Kilkenny where our HQ is located. I’d like to give a special mention and thanks to our own team members, Eoin Dunphy, Eanna Brady, James Murphy, Patrick Dalton and Patrick O'Neill, who are all dedicated members of Kilkenny Tennis Club. Without them, this sponsorship wouldn’t have been possible. Padel tennis is a new and innovate sport, and we are really excited to play a part in ensuring it has a home right here in Kilkenny.”
From all of us at CluneTech, we’d like to wish Kilkenny Tennis Club the best of luck with their newly launched facility! We look forward to visiting the padel courts in the near future.
Read more: https://bit.ly/3JqQPoC
At CluneTech, our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are absolutely delighted to shine the spotlight on three of our extraordinary team members, Gary Conroy, Jonathan Church and Joe Healy who flew the CluneTech flag during L’Étape du Tour de France 2024.
This year marks the 32nd edition of L’Étape du Tour de France which was held on 07 July 2024. The 138km route sees riders take on the 20th stage of the Tour de France, between Nice and the Col de la Couillole. With more than 4,600 metres of ascent, including the climbs of the Col de Braus, Col de Turini, Col de la Colmiane and Col de la Couillole, it’s no surprise that for many people, it is the hardest physical challenge they could ever undertake.
We are delighted to say that Gary, Jonathan and Joe successfully completed the mammoth that is L’Etape du Tour de France on the 7th of July all in aid of such amazing charities and organisations. CluneTech Cares was delighted to support each of their fundraisers to support the guys on their massive achievement. Well done to Joe, Jonathan and Gary from all here at CluneTech!
More information on the charities and organisations supported can be found below:
Gary Conroy & Joe Healy fundraising for Parkinson’s Ireland
Parkinson's Ireland aims to assist people with Parkinson's, their families and carers, health professionals and interested others, by offering support, a listening ear, and information on any aspect of living with Parkinson's and they also initiate and fund research into Parkinson's disease, its causes and affects.
Jonathan Church is fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK (justgiving.com)
Muscular Dystrophy UK are a leading charity for over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions. For over 60 years, they've been building a community of individuals living with muscle-wasting or weakening conditions, families and carers, scientists, health professionals, supporters, volunteers, and donors, making advances that would have been unthinkable just ten years ago.
As part of a three year deal, all Kilkenny hurling and Camogie academy team jerseys will carry the CluneTech logo. The academies, which were launched in January this year, were established to provide a pathway for emerging young talent within Kilkenny.
This new and exciting relationship coincides with the recent announcement of the integration plan for the Camogie Association, LGFA and the Gaelic Athletic Association. Kilkenny are leading the way in utilising this opportunity to bring both associations closer together before 2027, which has been set as the official deadline for full integration. Both associations are currently supporting in excess of 500 players through the academy pathway, with their main purpose being to support each player’s development across all components of the game.
The costs of running multiple academy teams in any given year are substantial, from running buses, equipment, food, gear and medical treatment to name a few. To strive for higher levels of performance, a healthy environment needs to be not only created, but sustained for our younger generation players. This funding will contribute to implementing structures and support over the next three years for both associations.
PJ Kenny, Kilkenny GAA Chairman, said
Kilkenny GAA are delighted to welcome CluneTech on board as our new academy sponsor and we look forward to a successful partnership into the future.
Terry Clune, CluneTech CEO and Founder, said:
At CluneTech, we are passionate about supporting the development of our future generation and it gives us tremendous honour to sponsor Kilkenny’s GAA and Camogie Academies. The commitment and dedication exhibited by these athletes at such a young age is inspirational and we’re incredibly proud to play a role in solidifying a future of excellence in both sports here in Kilkenny. The values of these academies align tremendously with our core values and #OneTeam culture, and we are really excited to begin this great partnership. Sincere thanks to the many people involved in making this happen!
Theresa Aylward, Kilkenny Camogie Chairperson said
Kilkenny Camogie are delighted with our partnership with CluneTech, we share many common elements such as values, standards and identity. CluneTech is also well renowned as a Best Workplace for Women and with their passion we can develop and support our young Camogie players to reach their potential within Kilkenny's high performing environment.
We’re proud to share that CluneTech has donated 4.5 tons of cement-based floor screed to the Center for Medical and Social Care for Children in Varna (Vinitsa District).
The donation will be used for the construction of a brand new ward for complex care for children with chronic diseases and impairments up to seven years old. The ward will include rooms where children experiencing severe and chronic health challenges with uncertain prognosis can stay with their parents. Additionally, it will incorporate facilities for rehabilitation, physiotherapy, medical manipulation rooms, and space for individual activities.
A long-time partner of CluneTech Cares, the medical centre in Vinitsa is the largest facility of its kind in the Northeast of Bulgaria, providing medical care and rehabilitation to premature babies and children with neurological and orthopaedic problems.
Click here to read all about this amazing cause: https://bit.ly/3UPgA8
Following the guest visit of the I Believe and Help founder Vladislav Nikolov to our Varna office last April, we are delighted to share that thanks to our team’s participation and support, we have donated:
I Believe and Help is a well-known Bulgarian initiative run biannually, promoting plastic cap collection and recycling to gather funds for purchasing vital medical equipment for children’s hospitals while also supporting the planet and recycling tons of plastic each year. CluneTech has been a part of the initiative since its inception, donating a significant amount of plastic caps collected by our employees twice every year. This year, we decided to level up and contribute financially to the cause too.
The results from the I Believe and Help initiative are truly astounding:
Well done to all who contributed to this cause throughout the years. You can learn more about this organisation here: https://azviarvamipomagam.bg
During the weekend of March 30th and 31st, 150 cycling enthusiasts and their families participated in a special cycling route, marking the commencement of the 2024 Cycling Season in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria.
CluneTech proudly sponsored the event, with two of our colleagues Ralitsa Mladenova and Polya Gaydarova, providing support to the initiative throughout the weekend.
The event was organized by Tarnovo Runs, an organization founded a decade ago by eco-activist Kalin Vasilev-Kalimbata. Over the years, Tarnovo Runs has hosted more than 1,000 events, including hiking trips, yoga classes, motivational speeches, and clean-up initiatives, all aimed at promoting a healthier lifestyle and fostering a spirit of volunteerism.
Well-done to everyone involved!
On June 9th, two CluneTech teams took part in the long-anticipated 6th edition of Business Run Varna.
Despite temperatures soaring around 30-degrees, with some participants taking part for the very first time, our teams achieved a well-deserved 19th and 47th place in an exhilarating competition which had a total of 79 teams from the region competing.
Business Run is Varna’s biggest corporate team-building event, taking place in the beautiful Bulyard shipping factory close to the heart of the city. Not only is the Business Run a fantastic day out, but it’s also a great way to give back to charity, as 30% of the registration fees are donated to Karin Dom - an organization that plays a leading role in providing professional services for children with special needs and their families.
Introduced in 2021, our CSR Volunteer Day empowers each employee to give back to the charities and causes closest to them. Since the inception of Volunteer Day, 160+ CluneTech employees have contributed to causes which they find meaningful, and this number keeps growing. See what they had to share with us about their experience this quarter:
Last month, Irina Metea dedicated her CSR volunteer day to chaperoning a visit to The Windmill animal farm and petting zoo in Cluj. This event was organised to celebrate International Children’s Day and included a diverse group of children, some with autism, health issues, or from orphanages and difficult backgrounds. Irina played a crucial role in..
Irina’s extra efforts to support children with special needs and those from challenging circumstances did not go unnoticed. Her compassion and dedication significantly contributed to the success of the event, making it a memorable day for everyone involved.
Irina’s commitment to helping children extends beyond a single event. Last Christmas, she organised a successful fundraising campaign and a clothing donation drive for a Children’s Center. Her initiatives included:
These actions not only provided practical support, but also brought emotional warmth and happiness to the children during the holiday season.
On Friday, June 7th, I had the incredible opportunity to use my CSR volunteer day to participate in a fundraiser organized by Ann Marie Freyne, benefiting the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation at Druids Glen Golf Course. The event, ‘Raise the Par with Cathal’, was a huge success, raising nearly €70,000 to support families in need.
The day was filled with sunshine, smiles, and excitement as participants enjoyed the newly refurbished golf course at Druids Glen. The generosity of everyone involved truly made a difference.
Special thanks to CluneTech for their generous sponsorship and for providing us with the chance to give back to causes that are close to our hearts. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
The funds raised will provide over 3,800 nursing hours to families like Cathal's, making a meaningful impact on their lives. Donations are still coming in, and every contribution counts.
Well done Elvera from all here at CluneTech! We hope you had a wonderful day fundraising for such an amazing cause.
Last week I used my CSR day to volunteer at my boys' primary school.
CBS Primary Kilkenny has been an all boys school for the past 70 years but last September they began their co-educational journey and welcomed junior infants boys and girls to the school for the first time. The school also opened its first autism class.
As part of the co-educational journey a new junior yard was completed and the Parents Association set about raising funds for playground equipment by holding a number of fundraisers. One of these fundraisers was the annual 'Snack & Browse' where all classes were allocated time when their family could visit and have a snack or browse the items donated. The fundraiser was hugely successful and the amount raised exceeded our expectations.
Before the introduction of the CSR day I would have used annual leave to help out with fundraisers so this is a huge benefit that I am very grateful to have.”
Well done to Joanne for using her CSR Volunteer day for such a great initiative. Congratulations to CBS primary school on their new co-educational journey, we wish you all the very best of luck.
Last May, our incredible colleagues Ciarán Busby & Keith O'Sullivan took on the unimaginable challenge of abseiling 190ft down one of Dublin's most recognisable landmarks, Smithfield Tower, in aid of Ronald McDonald House Ireland.
Now in its third year, the Big Drop is the charity's most daring fundraiser of the year with this year's event raising almost €100,000!
This will greatly support the building of their new 52-bedroom House at the New Children's Hospital which CluneTech are honoured to sponsor a room in. Well done guys!
Shoutout to our amazing colleague Vladi who recently visited the 'Lucky Hunt' Dog shelter.
During the few hours Vladi and his daughter spent there, they met around 25 of the 300dogs—Bebka, Mulan, Pirate, Bambi, Grandpa Archie, Kiki, Raycheto, Caesar and many more. They managed to help not also with the feeding but with the transport of the donated food as well. Vladi and his lovely daughter also spent time playing, socializing and grooming these wonderful animals.
After he had a conversation with the chief veterinarian, Dr. Stankova, it turned out that the shelter is in constant need of volunteers.
If you are feeling inspired by Vladi and you already have one year of service with CluneTech, you can also use your volunteer day to support this cause or other another charity close to your heart.
Together, we can make a difference #CluneTechCares
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