Candle lighting ceremony set to be highlight of popular Relay for Life Ballyfermot
By Maurice Garvey
RELAY for Life Ballyfermot takes place August 4/5 in Le Fanu Park, The Lawns.
Over the last five years, Relay for Life Ballyfermot has raised nearly €90,000 for the Irish Cancer Society.
Players that competed in the charity match
Cherry Orchard brothers Wayne, Daniel and Kevin McGarry, started the initiative in 2013 to honour their mother Patty McGarry, who passed away that year after suffering from a cancer related illness.
The Relay features a 24-hour run at Le Fanu Park, with teams of people committing at least one member of their team on the track at all times.
It has proved incredibly popular with up to 2,000 people involved in a candle ceremony at the 2016 event.
There was no Relay last year due to Daniel getting married but organisers are looking forward to staging the event again, and held a recent football match to raise funds and awareness for the campaign.
“There is no cut off point for people joining up,” said Daniel.
“It is open right up to the event. A big thing is that we invite and want cancer survivors to come along, they are a big part of this.
“At around 9.30pm on the Saturday there is a candle remembrance ceremony, the lights in the compound go off, everyone lights a candle, it is an amazing moment.”
