Clash of the Companies is Ireland’s foremost team building event that brings hundreds of people from all sectors of business together to compete against each other with the ultimate goal of raising funds for sick children in Ireland.Â
It is a unique challenge that brings the business community together in a fun yet competitive atmosphere, all while raising vital funds for sick children and their families across Children’s Health Ireland hospitals and urgent care centres.Â
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We had a fantastic day at the RDS for this year’s Clash of the Companies! A huge thank you to all the companies that participated and contributed to making the event a success.
It was wonderful to see so many teams come together in the spirit of teamwork and friendly competition, all the while supporting sick children and their families. Thank you to our sponsors Arthur Cox, Arista, Infosys, Mercury Engineering and Tesco Mobile for your generous support of the event and your unwavering commitment to giving every sick child every chance.Â
Congratulations to this year’s winners, Arista Team Two, for showcasing exceptional teamwork and creativity!Â
We’re already looking forward to next year’s event, with registration for Clash of the Companies 2025 set to open later this year.Â
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How it works
Companies are invited to enter teams comprising a maximum of eight people and are welcome to enter multiple teams. The total fee per team is €1,400 which will include participation on the day, free t-shirt and goody bag for all participants and food after the event. Â
You can choose to pay the registration fee in full, fundraise in full, or split the cost as part registration fee, part fundraising. We would encourage all teams regardless of payment method to get into the spirit of giving and set-up a fundraising page upon registration and make fundraising part of your team-building experience in the lead up to event!Â
Teams will gather at the event venue where they will receive instructions for the challenge along with your t-shirt and goodie bag. They will then take to the streets of Dublin and have two hours to solve all the clues and complete group challenges. Once the course is completed, teams will return for games and entertainment, with some well-deserved food and drink before the results and prize winners are announced.Â
Watch our video of Clash of the Companies 2024 - This video is streamed from YouTube
RóisÃn’s Story
RóisÃn was born with congenital nephrotic syndrome – a very rare, serious kidney disorder that she was diagnosed with at two years old. Christina, RóisÃn’s Mum shared their story with us. Â
“January 28th 2018, was the day our nightmare began. It was a Sunday, RóisÃn woke up and she was unrecognisable. Her face puffy and her eyes were barely visibly, she couldn’t see properly out of them. It was so upsetting to look at her like this. RóisÃn had tests done in our local GP, but then later that week in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, her diagnosis was confirmed. I had never heard of this condition, I hadn’t a clue, but from then on, we began to learn a completely different language, we became so familiar with all the medical terminology.
The following few years were really difficult, most of RóisÃn’s time was spent in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin. RóisÃn’s immune system was so low, infection was the real problem, not the kidneys, but it was only a matter of time before they also began to fail.
In July 2020 RóisÃn’s first kidney was taken out and she began dialysis. Only two months later her second kidney was also taken out. RóisÃn was really sick at this stage and was a shadow of the child she once was. She could barely eat; she would become very bloated, and her skin was always a grey, purple colour. RóisÃn had no energy at all. She needed masses of medication, daily injections and 14 hours of home dialysis which meant she spent about 15 hours each day tied up to a machine.Â
By this time, we desperately needed a kidney for her, and she was placed on the deceased donor list. I also started getting tested to see if I was match. After months of tests, it was deemed I was a perfect match, this was a huge relief, but a doubled edge sword as it meant I wouldn’t be with RóisÃn when she was being operated on. We had never spent more than a couple of hours away from each other.
Finally, we received a date for transplant, the 4th of October 2021. RóisÃn was extremely sick at this point, she was taken into hospital eight days before. This was to try prepare her for the big day. My family and I had to strictly cocoon for four weeks prior to this. During all this the world was also dealing with Covid-19 which meant that I couldn’t visit RóisÃn while she was in hospital. This was so difficult and hard to explain to a 6-year-old, but we persevered.Â
The long-awaited morning came and as I was preparing for surgery, everything was in place for RóisÃn in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street. Her ICU bed had been secured as this was always a factor in allowing the operation to go ahead.Â
The anaesthetist was ready for me, it was 7.55am and surgery was scheduled for 8.00am, then a call came in, to hold everything. There was a problem with RóisÃn, she had a mild temperature which meant the surgery was called off. This was devastating news. Everyone was standing around in shock and I was lying on the bed in a total daze.
We went back home, started our dialysis routine, all the while RóisÃn was deteriorating. It was beyond heartbreaking; my family and I were in shock. But we just had to stay hopeful that we could get RóisÃn transplanted soon.
On the 13th December 2021 the transplant went ahead and RóisÃn finally got her new much needed kidney. I was told the kidney had begun to work even before it was fully connected. This was the best news ever. After a few days in Beaumont Hospital, I was able to finally see RóisÃn and I was brought over to visit her.Â
Holding RóisÃn that morning was the best feeling I ever had in my life. After the transplant RóisÃn had some serious complications, but thankfully the whole time the kidney was working well. She ended up staying in hospital for almost two months, but since the day she left she has gone from strength to strength.Â
She has grown so tall, she has energy, she is now living a full and healthy life.
During all those scary years, the Nephrology Ward in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin became our second home. We couldn’t have visitors due to Covid which brought us even closer to the amazing staff. From our miracle working doctors and nurses, to the cleaning lady and dinner ladies, these people got us through the most horrendous days. Some days were particularly black, but the support I had was incredible. For the transplant we were transferred to Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street and the staff in Temple Street were amazing and made the transition as easy as possible”, –Â
Christina, RóisÃn’s Mum.