Mizen2Malin Organiser - Liam Linnane

A family legacy of charity and cycling

The Linnane family’s 25-year commitment

Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) has been a charity close to my family for generations.

Our family's involvement with the charity dates back to the late ’70s and early ’80s when my maternal grandmother, along with two friends, founded the Swords branch of the charity. She raised funds outside the local church gates by rattling a collection box to gather spare change (back when people still carried cash!) and donations from the community.

Little did she know that the vital funds she was raising would play a huge role in her daughter's future father-in-law’s - my paternal grandad’s - life.

Two weeks before my eldest sibling was born, my paternal grandad lost his sight. Luckily for him, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and the fantastic work they do were able to match him with his first Guide Dog, a great big Labrador named “Presley.” Presley gave my grandad back his independence, providing him with the confidence and ability to travel, engage with his community, and socialise - things that would have been extremely challenging without him.

Presley was also a great babysitter, and even though he was always a working dog at heart, he was more than happy to entertain the 2- to 4-year-old me as I threw toys for him to fetch or sat on his back while he walked me around my grandparents' kitchen. Following Presley’s retirement, my grandad was fortunate enough to receive the support of another Guide Dog, Zeke, who - just like Presley before him - was part of the family right from the start.

As well as the IGDB, the National Council for the Blind in Ireland (NCBI) was also a great help to my grandad as he learned to adjust to sight loss. Through the support they provided and speaking to other service users, my dad Eamonn Linnane and my grandad became members of the NCBI’s cycling fundraising team, The Blazing Saddles, taking part in sponsored cycles across the world on their trusty tandem.

After my grandad passed away, and having fundraised for so long for the NCBI, the family connection to the IGDB came full circle when my grandmother asked my dad to put something together to fundraise for the IGDB. Knowing he couldn’t say no to his mother-in-law, he discussed the possibility of organising a charity cycle in honour of his late father while cycling with a group of family and friends in Malaysia in 2000 with The Blazing Saddles. And so, the Mizen2Malin charity cycle was born.

Since the first cycle back in 2001, the event has been held annually. Now in its 25th year, the cycle, along with all the dedicated cyclists and support crew over the years, has raised almost €1.5m for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Liam’s journey to continuing the legacy

Seeing the support and benefits that both Presley and Zeke gave to my grandad, as well as the effort my dad has put in over the years, led me to want to help out and get involved in fundraising for the IGDB from a young age. It’s something I’ve always been passionate about, as I’ve seen the benefits a guide dog can have for anyone with sight loss or a visual impairment, and I’ve wanted to do my bit to ensure that the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind can provide that support to as many people as possible.

Introducing Fire to the charity’s mission

Following the pandemic and the societal pivot from cash to digital, it was clear that the traditional fundraising method of rattling the box needed a rethink. After hosting a table quiz and raffle to fundraise for Mizen2Malin, the feedback from attendees was that they didn’t have the cash to donate or to buy tickets and that they needed an alternative way to make a donation digitally.

I brought this thought back to the company I work for, Fire Financial Services, which specialises in payments, to see how we could help in the nonprofit payment processing space. This led to us working with the IGDB to enable them to receive donations through open banking payments, with donors simply scanning a QR code on posters, buckets, volunteer cards, etc., at a fraction of the cost compared to a card payment, ensuring that more money from a donation goes straight to raising guide dogs and changing lives.

Following on from this work, Fire has been a sponsor of the Mizen2Malin cycle since 2022. This has been a huge help in enabling the event to continue in the face of rising costs. As the event is fully funded by the cyclists and support teams, sponsorship like that from Fire means that the funds raised through unbelievable dedication and effort from the cyclists and support crew can also go straight to the IGDB and their work. Fire has also officially sponsored Griffin, a puppy from this year’s “G” litter. Griffin has become our unofficial company mascot, and the team loves getting “pupdates” on his progress.

Reflections and shared values: Liam’s perspective on the partnership

It has been a privilege to be part of a company like Fire, which has supported me and the IGDB throughout our fundraising events over the last few years. Seeing the passion and drive that my colleagues have for innovating new solutions, such as Fire’s open banking payments for nonprofit payment processing, has been truly inspiring.

Reflecting back on my time with Fire and the work that my father and grandparents have done for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, it is obvious that the two go hand in hand. Both Fire and the IGDB’s shared values for innovation and supporting communities make this a strong partnership that will allow us to continue finding new ways for the IGDB to receive their essential, life-changing donations from the community, regardless of societal and technological changes in nonprofit payment processing in the future.

Conclusion

The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has been a beacon of hope for so many families, including my own. Witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of their work has deepened my commitment to supporting their mission and ensuring their life-changing services reach as many people as possible. Through innovation and collaboration, we can all play a role in making this vision a reality.

At Fire, we are proud to stand alongside organisations like the IGDB, offering solutions that streamline donation processes and maximise impact. By leveraging technologies like open banking payments, we’re helping nonprofits adapt to a rapidly changing world while keeping their focus on what truly matters - their vital work. We invite you to join us in supporting the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Whether it’s donating, volunteering, or simply learning more about their mission, your contribution can make a difference. Explore how Fire is committed to empowering nonprofits with innovative payment solutions. Together, we can help ensure brighter futures for all!

Donate to the IGDB seamlessly with Fire’s open banking payments - just scan the QR code below.