Relay for Life cancer fundraiser returns to Dundalk after 12 year absence

After a 12 year absence, Relay For Life is now returning home to Dundalk, which was the first town in Ireland to ever host the special event. 

Relay for Life is a 24-hour, community-led walk which fundraises for the Irish Cancer Society, with Saturday, January 31, marking its comeback to the Louth town. 

The launch night, which was held in Dundalk Stadium, saw upwards of 50 people attend and listen to inspirational speakers. These included Nikki Murphy, a cancer survivor and now a committee member and Eileen English, a local voluntary Irish Cancer Society Driver who explained what her role is and how the funds raised contribute to the success of such drivers in the organisation.

Other speakers included Ciara Hughes from the Irish Cancer Society,  well-known runner Collette O'Hagan who is a local ambassador and Ms Ireland Caoimhe Kenny, who is also an ambassador and spoke of how proud she was to be associated with Relay For Life Dundalk. 

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The night ended with the ribbon being cut to launch the Relay to the tune of ‘Cancel Cancer’ written by Collette O’Hagan with music added by Larry O’Hagan. 

Speaking on the initiative, Event Chair Ollie Morgan said: "How I became involved with Relay For Life was, of course, through social media. I was tagged in a post on the Irish Cancer Society asking if there was still a Relay Committee in Dundalk. I did a bit of research on this and discovered that the last time there was an event here in Dundalk was in October 2014. I contacted people that I knew were involved in previous Relays and asked them to come on board and thankfully they didn't hesitate and agreed to join us on this new journey."

Relay for Life Dundalk is sponsored by Dundalk Stadium, PrimeDesigns NI, Petals Flower Shop, Embellish and Bobbie at 17 Vending and Events. 

The event begins on Saturday, September 12 at 2pm and finishes on Sunday September, 13 at 2pm in Dundalk Stadium. 

If you would like to register as an individual or as a team please go to https://www.relayforlife.ie/event/dundalk or email relayforlifedundalk@gmail.com and they will be happy to assist you.