Westlife’s Shane Filan amongst those taking part in Sligo’s first Relay for Life

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

It is just over two weeks until the Irish Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year and for the first time the Relay for Life event will be held in Sligo.

This may be the first staging of the Relay for Life in Sligo but local organisers have been blown away by the support offered to them and they are on course to smash the fundraising targets they set when they first convened as a committee back in March. The original fundraising target was €30,000 but this figure was surpassed some time ago and the amount of money pledged to date now stands at an incredible €120,000.

One of Sligo’s best known faces, Shane Filan, is helping to promote this year’s events and will also be taking part in the 24 hour relay event at Sligo ATU along with his wife Gillian and their family.

Over 55 teams from diverse backgrounds and consisting of young and old have signed up to participate. Some of the groups who will be participating on the day include, local members of An Garda Siochana, local secondary schools, sports clubs, ATU, HSE, County Council Staff and other larger employers in the town.

Local politicians have also rowed in behind the fundraising efforts with event chairperson Cllr Ann Higgins securing the help of fellow politicians to enter a team called ‘The CoCo Bandits’.

The 24 hour Sligo Relay for Life will be held from 3pm on Saturday, September 13 with teams, comprising a minimum of 10 people. Anyone who would like to participate in the relay but may not be able to coax enough family or friends to make up a full team you can also enter as an individual and a team will be assigned to them.

Even if not planning on taking part in the relay event, people are still encouraged to visit the ATU over the course of the event as the fun-filled day will have something for all the family, including live music, all while raising much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

This incredible figure that has been raised to date is thanks in no small part to the role played by the organising committee with Cllr Higgins noting, “I must acknowledge the fantastic committee that I have the honour of chairing. They are truly the most fabulous and selfless group of people who bring their own areas of expertise to what is going to be a phenomenal event for Sligo while raising much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society.”

There are a number of ways to contribute to the fundraising efforts and helping to ensure Sligo’s relay for Life is a complete success.

Candle of Hope candle bags are now on sale across the county or online at €5 per bag. The bags are personalised with messages and at dusk on Saturday, September 13 every bag will be lit along the track at the ATU. Messages of hope, prayer and gratitude are offered up in what will be an emotive event accompanied by music.

The organising committee are actively seeking volunteers for the event. As this is a large, complex event with many different aspects all assistance will be gratefully received.

For further information on how to take part, donate or volunteer please visit relayforlife.ie/event/sligo.