Services for children with autism at five local primary schools have received a New Year boost thanks to a major fundraising event staged by a team from Sanofi, the global healthcare company who employ 800 people at their biopharma and medical device site in the city.

Sanofi On Stage saw 12 acts drawn from across Sanofi’s Waterford site team perform on stage at the Tower Hotel in front of hundreds of their colleagues, family and friends.

With the company’s support, the show raised €25,000 which will be shared between Scoil Lorcáin; St Ursula's; St Martin's; St Joseph's and Portlaw National School. Each school will invest their €5,000 share in vital services and resources for children with autism.

Speaking at an event in Sanofi attended by the five schools, Martin O’Leary, Head of H.R., said: “It is great to be able to connect in-person with the principals and for some of our talented colleagues who performed at Sanofi On Stage to meet them and hear how the funds raised will now be spent locally.  Huge credit is due to all of the organising team along with the acts who took part – from comedy to music and pantomime to dance, the night really had it all. As well as being great fun, it was a chance to raise vital funds for some of our neighbouring schools and that made it a real win-win.”