Citroën expands Barretstown partnership in Kildare with extra fleet

Citroën Ireland is celebrating four years of its partnership with Barretstown by expanding its fleet, strengthening its support for children, young people and their families affected by cancer and other serious illnesses.

Two new vans, Berlingo and Relay, bring the charity’s Citroën fleet to six vehicles, helping families access its life-changing psychosocial programmes and supporting the day-to-day delivery of its supports.

Established in 2022, the partnership provides practical transport support for thousands of seriously ill children, young people and their families. From assisting campers and volunteers get to camp to supporting outreach activities and maintenance across Barretstown’s 500-acre campus, the vehicles play an important role in keeping its programmes and facilities running.

The expanded fleet includes a wheelchair-accessible Citroën ë-Berlingo and a nine-seater ë-Spacetourer alongside the longstanding use of an ë-C4.

In addition to its vehicle support, Citroën Ireland will continue to raise funds for Barretstown through a range of fundraising activities and initiatives.

Dee Ahearn, CEO of Barretstown, said: “For a family living with serious illness, getting to camp should be one less thing to worry about. Citroën’s support helps us turn that journey into an opportunity for children, young people and their families to step away from the pressures of illness and experience the connection and encouragement our programmes offer.

“From bringing families and volunteers to camp to supporting our outreach work and caring for our campus, this partnership makes a practical difference every day. We appreciate Citroën’s continued support and look forward to building on our partnership for the benefit of the people we serve at Barretstown.”

Colin Sheridan, Managing Director of Citroën Ireland, said: “For us, this partnership is about more than providing vehicles. It is about what those vehicles make possible: a family reaching camp, a volunteer getting there to help, or the Barretstown team taking its support beyond the campus. Since 2022, we have been proud to play a part in that work.

“Expanding the fleet to six vehicles, alongside our ongoing fundraising, is a practical way to deepen our commitment and help restore the lives of more children, young people and families across Ireland.”

The renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping children, young people and families access therapeutic and psychosocial support, with reliable transport helping to remove a practical barrier to participation.

Founded in 1994 by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, Barretstown is Ireland’s leading provider of psychosocial care for children, young people and families affected by cancer and other serious illnesses.

Its programmes have reached over 175,000 young people and generated over €2.2 billion in social value.