1 March 2015
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Earlier today almost 1,100 walkers and runners raised over €50,000 (and counting) on the fourth Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk, to benefit Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society.
After a very wet start, divine intervention happened and the sun came out allowing the Sea of Pink shine through the town as each participant wore a Pink Ribbon Walk t-shirt and Kinsale businesses ‘turned pink’ for the weekend, to heighten breast cancer awareness.
DJ Anthony ‘Glasto’ Collins set the tone as he blasted out tunes to get the crowds rocking before Elite Pilates took to the stage for the very effective warm-up.
Brand Co-Ambassador Tara Flynn spoke of Ireland having an ‘orange weather alert’ but Kinsale had a ‘Pink’ Alert as she welcomed participants from all over the country and then Sharon Crosbie, Co-Ambassador sang as the motivated crowd prepared to stride off through the town on the 10k route, that started and finished on the Pier Road.
After the Walk, soup-er-men Cully & Sully served up delicious soups and sandwich refreshments were provided by the Kinsale Good Food Circle with fruit and cereal bars courtesy of Lidl and Tipperary Water keeping thirsts quenched in Actons Hotel.
Following this Tara Flynn MC’d at the newly introduced, and very emotional, Closing Ceremony in Actons Hotel. Thank you’s were extended by Fionnuala McCarthy, Chairperson, Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk to Actons Hotel, the Good Food Circle, Cully & Sully, DJ Anthony Collins Lidl, Supervalu, Tipperary Water, Sharon Crosbie & Tara Flynn as well as acknowledging past Chairperson Jackie Dawson for bringing the Pink Ribbon Walk to Kinsale.
This was the followed by a few words from the Irish Cancer Society representative Joanne Murphy and Pauline Coomey, Palliative Care/Night Care Night Nurse after which breast cancer survivors and families of those lost to the disease carried worded teardrops to the centre of the room as three songs were played by Sharon Crosbie commencing with You’ve Got A Friend.
The events continued well into the evening as Sharon Crosbie performed in between Ireland’s Call in beating England at Rugby and creating a party atmosphere for participants and their supporters.
The Pink Ribbon Walk is a national fundraising initiative which organises sponsored charity walks in locations around the country in aid of Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society. The objective is to empower individuals and communities to increase breast cancer awareness, promote healthy living and raise funds for Action Breast Cancer through a fun and rewarding experience.
“We are delighted with such fantastic support and are thrilled with over €50,000 raised to date and counting as the Pink Ribbon Walk is a big physical and financial commitment,” said Fionnuala McCarthy, Chairperson Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk. A huge thank you goes out to all Participants, Donors, Sponsors, Pink Partners, including Riverstick, Belgooly and Ballinspittle, Volunteers, Stewards, Marshalls, TY students & co-ordinator at Kinsale Community School, all local sports clubs including Kinsale GAA, Rugby Club, Soccer Club, Kinsale Athletics Club, Tara Flynn & Sharon Crosbie, Cllr Kevin Murphy, Gardai, Civil Defence, Red Cross, Collins Pharmacy, Finishing Services, Eurocamps, Daisy Chain, Kinsale Camera Club and Julie Silverberg.
“We sincerely thank participants for fundraising such a huge amount in sponsorship and thank everyone for their most generous donations. We encourage those participants who registered late to return their sponsorship cards to Finishing Services, 71 Main Street, Kinsale or to lodge monies in AIB Kinsale with their name and registration number during March.”
