NOMINATOR

NOMINEE

1. Consistency and Significance: Prior to working for the MUHF, Michael spent almost a decade working as a Fundraiser for the ISPCC, where he won the bid for Childline to be the Tesco Charity of the Year in 2004 among many other achievements. In 2007 he was appointed as Executive Director to the newly established Mercy University Hospital Foundation in Cork and over the last 2 years he has driven the development of numerous fundraising initiatives for the Foundation which has ensured that the Mercy Hospital Foundation has now become one of the best known charitable fundraising brands in the Cork region. Michael has single-handedly taken on the role of developing and implementing the first ever strategic fundraising plan for MUHF and was directly responsible for raising income of ?650,000 in 2007-2008 and so far almost ?1 million for the period 2008-2009. Well over 50% of this funding has come directly from fundraising events, campaigns and challenges that Michael has developed and initiated. Despite the economic downturn, Michael has managed to meet his fundraising targets and continues to drive innovative campaigns in support of the Hospital. Michael is extremely pro-active in his approach to fundraising and constantly looks to improve and build the MUHF.
2. Financial Success: All of The MUHF's fundraising success to date can be directly attributed to the work of Michael Sheridan, as prior to his employment as Director of the Foundation, the Hospital had no strategic approach to fundraising and any donations received were unsolicited. Through developing a number of Funds including the Mercy Kids Fund, The Mens Health & Prostate Cancer Fund and the Radiology Appeal, Michael has increased the profile of the Hospital's core programmes which has allowed individual and corporate donors and volunteers to feel part of the Hospital's work. As an example of his proactive approach to fundraising, Michael formed a partnership with 96FM's Radiothon which to date has raised over ?630k and from which the Children's Ward and Leukaemia Unit in the Mercy Hospital have significantly benefited. There is no doubt that the Foundation's fantastic fundraising performance to date is due to the proactive approach and drive of the Executive Director
3. Leadership: Michael has led the MUHF since its launch 2 years ago. While Michael is the only 'fundraising' member of staff in  the Foundation he manages two additional staff members who deal with accounts and event support and there is a great sense of team work in the office. Michael is well-known and well-liked throughout the various departments in the Hospital. In relation to fundraising, he leads by example, not just seeing his role as a nine-to-five job but as a huge part of his life. Michael not only actively encourages friends and family to get involved in the events that support the Hospital (e-mails about upcoming events are a regular fixture to anyone on his contact list!), he also plays an active part himself - he recently completed a one-day challenge through West Cork and Kerry cycling 80 miles and then climbing Carrantouhil to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Clinic in the Mercy. Michael will soon be guiding an additional staff member because as a result of his success the Foundation is now in a position to appoint a Fundraising Officer to support Michael. He also actively encourages the Board of the Foundation to become involved in various fundraising initiatives and it seems this is not something he is willing to give up on!
4. Innovation: Over the last two years Michael has developed numerous partnerships and innovative campaigns for the Foundation. These include but are not limited to 'Its a Man's Thing' in aid of the Men Health Fund and supported by Nivea for Men, the Mercy Kids Radiothon, The Laughing Lounge @ the Irish Examiner Spiegeltent, the Fundraising BASH and the 'Underpants Appeal' in aid of the Prostate Cancer Clinic. Micheal has also approached and received support from Bank of Scotland, Lilly, Cork Chamber of Commerce, GSK, Ipsen, Noel Deasy Cars, Heineken Ireland, The Cork Rose of Tralee Committee and GWL Group to name but a few. Everywhere Micheal goes he acts as an Ambassador for the Foundation and never fails to add new names to his ever growing contact list - who he views as his major donors of the future!
5. Other: Michael has spearheaded the Foundation's involvement in over 50 fundraising projects over the last two years with a significant number of these projects developed from scratch by the Foundation. He has an amazing ability to bring people together and also always acknowledges the vital role volunteers play in the Foundation's fundraising. When not running around the greater Munster region raising funds, Michael has also found the time to develop a strategic plan for 2009-2012 which includes diversifying fundraising avenues and bringing more regular donors on stream. On the communications front, he has developed a Foundation website www.mercyfoundation.ie, various promotional brochures and even a presence for the Foundation on Facebook!