prompting a response from Mencap, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities.
McIlroy, who recently completed his career grand slam by winning the Masters, has been a steadfast advocate for Mencap, helping thousands of people live their lives according to their own choices.
In light of McIlroy’s impressive victory, which saw him triumph over Justin Rose in a thrilling playoff at Augusta National, rumors circulated online suggesting that he had generously donated his entire Masters prize to Mencap. This speculation echoes similar discussions that arose after his £3.2 million earnings from the Players’ Championship last month.
However, Mencap Northern Ireland took the opportunity to clarify the situation on Wednesday, stating that these claims are “not accurate.” Jackie O’Sullivan, the Executive Director of Strategy at Mencap, expressed gratitude for McIlroy’s ongoing support, noting, “Rory McIlroy has been a tremendous supporter of Mencap, including his contributions to the building of our children’s center in Belfast a few years ago. While we are immensely thankful for his commitment to our mission, we want to make it clear that he has not donated winnings from any recent tournament to Mencap.”
McIlroy’s relationship with Mencap is longstanding, highlighted by his previous generous donation of £500,000 made through the Rory Foundation to aid in the construction of the Mencap Centre in Belfast back in 2016. The charity continues to appreciate his dedication and wishes to congratulate him on his recent successes.
During a recent trip back to his hometown, McIlroy made a special visit to the Mencap Centre. Margaret Kelly, the director of Mencap Northern Ireland, was thrilled to have him there: “Having Rory visit the Mencap Centre today was truly exciting, and all the children and families who met him were overjoyed.”
She went on to talk about the impact of the generous £500,000 donation from the Rory Foundation on the Big Step Forward Appeal, which helped them reach their fundraising goal of £1.7 million. “Thanks to the support from the Rory Foundation, the Mencap Centre is now open and making a real difference in the lives of children with learning disabilities who attend our nursery. It also serves as a valuable resource and community hub for young people, adults, and families affected by learning disabilities.”
Kelly expressed her gratitude for the foundation’s crucial role in bringing the centre to life: “The Rory Foundation played a significant part in making this center a reality, and we are incredibly thankful to Rory and his team for their kindness and generosity.”
