The biggest fundraising day for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is underway today.
It's 65 Roses Day and the charity is hoping to raise 350,000 euro nationally through bucket collections and online donations.
"We're streamlining the event today," says Waterford branch spokesperson, Alan Barry. "I should mention, great thanks to Dunnes Stores who have come on board nationally with us.
"In Waterford, we will have a bucket collection outside and inside Dunnes Stores today. So, if anyone is in Dunnes and they feel like they can, just pop something into the bucket.
"The bucket collectors will be there and it would be much appreciated."
The charity says they need more funding to carry out fertility assessments and treatments for people with cystic fibrosis.
CEO, Philip Watt, says fertility is an issue:
"Both men and women with CF have problems conceiving unless they get IVF treatment and it's about €5,000 a time, every time you get IVF treatment.
"Often people will need three or four rounds of IVF before they can become pregnant, in the case of women."
Alan in Waterford says the money collected today will be put to good use:
"The biggest drive at the moment would be research from CF Ireland, which is hugely important all over for all types of patients and their families.
"It's really beneficial for the patients so it's a hugely important day for us."
