Relay for Life will bring the community together

CANCER never sleeps and neither will teams taking part in the inaugural 24-hour Relay For Life event in Corkagh Park.

Starting on Saturday, June 3, the survivors lap will kickstart the 24-hours of festivities as teams band together to walk through the day and night in a bid to fundraise for the Irish Cancer Society.

“So many people have been affected by cancer, and we wanted to do something in Clondalkin,” says Caroline Corcoran, chairperson of the Relay For Life Clondalkin organising committee.

“The Relay For Life is 24 hours because cancer doesn’t sleep, it’s always there and that’s the idea behind the relay, you go straight through the night.

“We’re doing the Relay for Life for 24 hours to celebrate survivors, remember our loved ones, and stand in solidarity with those battling cancer.

“We are asking everyone to come out and do a few laps in solidarity.

“Hundreds of miles are going to be done over the course of the 24 hours on the track, and its bringing a whole community together for the one cause.”

Over €8,400 has been raised already and with a goal of €15k, the organisers are hoping to attract sponsors and more teams to participate in the day-long event.

While the event itself is costing the committee some €12k to run, all funds raised goes directly to four Irish Cancer Society initiatives.

Money raised is set to go directly to cancer research, volunteer drivers of cancer patients, night nurses and the operating of the Irish Cancer Society support line, which is free to call.

13 teams have already signed up to participate in Relay For Life Clondalkin, with members taking turns walking around the grass track in Corkagh Park non-stop in the 24-hour period.

There are three main flagship times scheduled for the event, the opening ceremony at 1pm, the Candle of Hope ceremony at 10pm and the closing ceremony at 1pm on Sunday, June 4.

Proceedings kick off at the main stage before embarking on the Survivors’ Lap, which will be followed by a Carers’ Lap and Volunteers’ Lap.

There are multiple ways that people can get involved in the maiden Relay for Life in Corkagh Park.

T-shirts will be available on the day for anyone who wishes to participate, and survivor can register for the survivor lap which starts at 1pm on June 3.

There will be entertainment on the go throughout the 24 hours with live music, dancers, yoga and more, and a candle of hope ceremony will take place at 10pm on the Saturday with personalised candle bags available which will light the track through the night.

For anyone who cannot attend the event, donations are being accepted online at the relay for life website HERE.