To celebrate the national rounding convention, due to be adopted from October 28^th 2015, Maxol is coordinating ten days of coin collections for Make-A-Wish across many of its stores nationwide.This is a collection with a difference as Maxol is encouraging households to empty those jam-jars full of copper coins that most of us rarely use.

Due to commence on Wednesday 21^st October, customers will have until 31^st October to get rid of all that unwanted change at their local participating Maxol store.

Miriam O’Callaghan, Ambassador for Make-A-Wish, who launched the initiative today, encouraged people to remember that every donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference to the life of a child through Make-A-Wish:“I very much admire the work of Make-A-Wish and all that they do to make these children’s dreams come true. This is a great way for all of us to show our support and help make a difference to the lives of the children and their families. I’d encourage everyone to get rid of their small unwanted change so that we can make a big difference together.”

All funds raised will help Make-A-Wish to reach their 2015 target of granting 175 wishes which is a 29% increase on last year.

Dermot O’Toole, Head of Retail and Marketing, The Maxol Group added, "Maxol is proud to work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Central Bank on this initiative. Most of us are guilty of having multiple jam-jars or drawers filled with copper coins never to be used. Now’s the time that we should all come together and donate this spare unwanted change to a wonderful cause."

Susan O'Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish Ireland commented, "This is such a wonderful idea and we would like to thank Maxol and its customers for once again supporting Make-A-Wish. We have some truly wonderful children waiting for their one true wish to come true. This initiative will make a difference.”

Dr. Ronnie O’Toole, National Payment Plan Program Manager, Department of Finance, highlighted just how many coins are lying idle in homes: “The average household in Ireland has a stock of 1,500 1 cent and 2 cent coins in jam-jars not being used. The advent of Rounding on 28^thOctober is a great opportunity to clear them out, and give them to someone who can put them to good use.”

On Wednesday 28^th October 2015 'Rounding' of cash transactions will be rolled out nationally by the Central Bank. This initiative arose because 1c and 2c coins are not used actively by consumers and are expensive to mint. Where a total bill is being paid in cash and the amount to be paid does not end in zero or five, the change paid will be rounded to the nearest five or ten cent. 

The Central Bank has calculated that 1,096,853,216 2c coins have been issued into circulation in Ireland amounting to €21,937,064.32 in value.  1,384,491,236 1c coins have been issued into circulation in Ireland amounting to €13,844,912.36. That’s 2.5 billion of these coins, sitting in jam-jars nationwide.

Having a wish granted can be a life changing experience for a child that struggles with a life-threatening medical condition. The wish experience can have a positive impact on the physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing of a child.

Ends

For further information please contact:

Fiona Thornton – Prior Communications

T: 01 662 7111 or 086 892 8277

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes to Editor:

About Make-A-Wish Ireland

Make-A-Wish Ireland has one simple aim - to grant the wishes of children aged between 3 and 17 years living with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. A wish granted is true magic for the child, providing respite from their normal routines of hospitals, doctors and treatment.

About The Maxol Group

• The Maxol Group was established in 1920 by William McMullan.  The 4^th generation of the family are Company Directors.
• Maxol makes a significant contribution to the economy on both sides of the border and markets a comprehensive range of oil and petroleum products to the Irish Market, through their Retail, Fuel Card and Lubricants divisions.
• The Maxol Group had an annual turnover of around €641m in 2014. 
• The company employs directly and indirectly more than 1,000 people across the island of Ireland.
• Maxol has been investing and expanding in recent years and currently has a network of 236 service stations, of which 104 are company owned.
• Maxol has introduced its vibrant new image to over 200 service stations as part of its expansion plans. 
• The new food brand Moreish – Fresh Food at Maxol was launched in 2014 and is currently in 20 Maxol service stations and growing.  It won ‘Best Oil Company Initiative’ at Ireland’s Forecourt & Convenience Awards 2015.
• In 2012 Maxol was voted Retailer of the Year by UTV Business Eye Awards in Northern Ireland.
• In 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Maxol was voted the most reputable oil company in Ireland by Corporate Reputations independent survey.