Team Ellie at the Relay for Life event in Corkagh Park
€13k raised at Relay for Life in Corkagh Park
OVER €13,000 was raised – and more is still being counted – for the Irish Cancer Society as a result of the 24-hour Relay for Life South County Dublin in Corkagh Park last weekend.
The Relay for Life is centred on remembering those who’ve lost their lives to cancer and celebrating survivors, all while raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
The relay had a host of activities, including a vintage car display, live music performances, and information displays for cancer survivors.
Relay for Life South County Dublin – now in its second year – kicked off with a lap led by cancer survivors, as is tradition for the event.
A defining feature of the event was the relay itself, which saw members of numerous teams take turns walking the track in the park over the course of the 24 hours.
Tallaght Person of the Year Nico Crowley took on the endeavour as a solo experience and walked around the track for the full 24 hours, save some 15- minute breaks to rest his feet and legs.
Louise Duffy, Melissa Keogh, Ray Daly
A highlight of Relay for Life South County Dublin was the Candle of Hope Ceremony, which saw 1,200 candle bags being placed around the track in memory of loved ones who had passed away from cancer.
They were placed by volunteers from the South Dublin Volunteer Centre and the Clondalkin Men’s Shed cut and provided pieces of wood to hold the candles in place in the vibrant bags.
Anne May, Sandra Straksiene, Sinéad Roche and June Reynolds in Corkagh Park on Saturday
They lit up the track for the entire night, and the official Candle of Hope ceremony was a moving experience, according to Caroline Corcoran who co-founded the event with Paula Haverty.
“One of the highlights was the Candle of Hope ceremony because we had two fantastic singers, Robyn Slator and Aisling,” Caroline told The Echo.
Joseph Reid (Vikings) and Garda Brendan Crawford
“Robyn is my daughter and she had been having singing lessons, and it was her first time singing for people.
“She was amazing.”
The Relay for Life was a mix of pensive reflection and uplifting defiance; when ‘Kung-fu Fighting’ spontaneously came on during a conga line on the day, attendees were told to punch cancer in the face as they congaed.
There was also a wellness area in the park, with activities like Reiki, yoga and acupressure, and Roches Hair Replacement and Breast Care had a stand providing information about wigs, prosthetics and post-surgery bras.
Antoinette Burtenshaw and Carmel Dunne
Commenting on how the overall event went, Ms Corcoran said: “It was an amazing 24 hours, one of the team members came over afterwards and said, ‘I wish I could go for another 24 hours’.
“It was like a reunion for friends and family in remembrance of people they’d lost, and it felt really special.
“One in every two people is going to get cancer in their lifetime, so it’s great for them to be able to speak about their similar experiences, or their loss, and how they feel, and for them to know they’re not alone in their own community.
“It’s a community healing event and that’s why it’s so special. It’s like you go into a bubble for 24 hours and you feel every emotion.
“It’s so raw but it’s an amazing experience, it brings so much joy.”
The committee that organised Relay for Life South County Dublin said they felt “sheer gratitude for everyone who helped and took part” and they plan to make the relay bigger and better next year.
To donate for this year’s event visit the Relay for Life website HERE.
