Mayo event raised an incredible €80k for charity

Westport's second annual Relay for Life event was held earlier this year (May 18th and 19th) to raise funds and awareness for the vital work of the Irish Cancer Society. 

Just over €80,000 was raised, an increase of €30,000. The weather held out to ensure everybody had a fantastic time with celebrity guests Shane Filan, Garron Noone and Micheal Ring, TD who graciously opened the event on Saturday evening.

Thanks to a huge line-up of local talent with musicians, dancers, poets and many more all giving up their time free, ensuring there was something for everybody over the weekend. Highlights included Westport Town Band leading a sea of purple survivors on the first lap, followed by National Relay for Life Ambassador Shane Filan sharing his own story with the assembled crowd. The Candle of Hope Ceremony on Saturday evening was a breathtaking experience.

In 2023, the Relay for Life raised over €50,000 to assist in the provision of vital services in Mayo, including 479 nights of night nurse assistance to facilitate support of people in their own homes, 372 counselling sessions for people affected by cancer, 317 supportive conversations with support nurses on the helpline and 283 journeys to cancer treatments. All of these services were provided locally in Mayo. 

To raise over €130,000 since Relay for Life started in Westport in 2023 is an amazing achievement and wouldn’t have happened without so many groups and people supporting this event in so many ways and making it a truly special community event.

Next year’s event is scheduled for May 17th and 18th 2025. Peter Flynn, Brid Chambers, Colm McLoughlin, Mike Cannon, June Bourke, Paticia Gibbons, Pauline Golden, Sally Curran, Joe Ring, Charlotte Murray, Paul Coghlan, Marie Corbett, Frank Dolan, Lee Tunney Weir, Seamus Moran, Mary Murray (ICS)