‘We’ve had 24 hours of hope, and we’re only just beginning’

It took a village to organise and successfully see through the first Relay for Life event in Westmeath, at Tyrrellspass GAA club, in the months ahead of the event, and in the 24 hours between 2pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday.

Relay for Life is a fundraising event in aid of the Irish Cancer Society, in which teams of walkers (and runners) take turns going around a walking track, for a full 24 hours.

For Tyrrellspass chairperson Daisy Carey, who spearheaded the fundraising event after her mother’s illness, the support for the event was overwhelming: “I might have made that original phone call to the Irish Cancer Society, but it’s really taken a village,” she said. “The committee, the community, the GAA and everyone came together to make this happen.”

The event offered much more than walking, as live music, dance, and performances took place on and off the stage on both days.

On Saturday, acts such as Mullingar Town Band, Chris Loughrey, Clara Town Band, Dom Keating, Paulie Martin, Emerald Lakes, Rose Dance Aerobics, David Mills, Power Mills and Paddy Geraghty entertained the crowds.

On Sunday, the Boyne School of Irish Dance, Dionysus School of Dance, T-Pass Trad Musicians, and special guests took to the stage.

Participants enjoyed food stalls, coffee, ice cream, bake sales and a ‘Guess the Year of the tractor’, competition to win a jersey.

There were many special moments throughout the 24 hours, events such as the Survivors Lap that opened the relay, led by the Mullingar Town Band, and a Survivors Lunch, sponsored by David Smith Catering.

At 9pm on Saturday, participants gathered for a Candle of Hope ceremony, for which hundreds of candles were lit around the walking track in remembrance of loved ones lost to cancer. Singer Michaela Hogg provided the music and a drone camera captured an aerial view of the glowing display.

While the entertainment and community spirit were on full display, the fundraising totals stole the spotlight. Dan McGarry, Relay for Life campaign officer with the Irish Cancer Society, said that the Tyrrellspass community had, in the first 30 minutes of the fundraiser, surpassed all expectations.

“When we started planning, the goal was €10,000,” Dan said, “but not even an hour into the event, they have already raised over €30,000. That money will go directly towards services such as night nursing programmes, volunteer drivers who take patients to appointments, and vital cancer research.” Relay for Life has been steadily growing across Ireland, and around 70 events now take place nationwide. “Our ultimate goal is to have one relay in every county,” Dan said. “Events like this show the power of communities pulling together – they make everything we do possible.”

For Daisy, the success of the event is measured not just in money raised but in the unity it generated. “It’s a full 24 hours of hope, remembrance, and togetherness,” she said. “And we’re only just beginning.”