Irish Cancer Society’s Relay for Life sees huge success in Mayo

Westport's second annual Relay for Life event, which took place in May, raised over €80,000 for the Irish Cancer Society.

The event was held on May 18 and19 to raise funds and awareness for the vital work of the Irish Cancer Society. 

Just over €80,000 was raised in 2024, a €30,000 increase from 2023’s first ever Mayo Relay for Life event.

The weather held out on the day, ensuring everybody had a fantastic time, including celebrity guests Shane Filan, Garron Noone, and Michael Ring TD, who graciously opened the event on Saturday evening. 

The second Mayo event was a huge community event, brought together by community effort. 

The Irish Cancer Society Relay For Life is the biggest cancer fundraising initiative in the world. 

The 24 hour event sees local communities coming together to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and stand shoulder to shoulder with those facing cancer.

Highlights of the weekend 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, Westport 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.

Additionally, it facilitated 372 counselling sessions for people affected by cancer, 317 supportive conversations with support nurses on the helpline and 283 journeys to cancer treatments provided locally in Mayo. 

The committee expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported the event, and said they are ‘eternally grateful’ for the community's support.  

“The teams that participated on the day were hugely important in making the year such a success. These teams recruited members to walk with them, secured all sorts of sponsors and carried out many significant fundraising events not just on the day itself but on the run-up to the weekend,” the committee stated.

“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,” the committee concluded/

Next year’s event is scheduled for May 17 and 18, to take part, contact the local Relay Committee.

The relay teams who took part in the 2024 event include: 

AbbVie                                                

Capelli Hair 

Carrakennedy Community Playschool

Danielle Keaney Fitness

Fahy Community

Jester Bar 

Kilmeena GAA & Parish

Lisa Reilly Fitness

LS Hair 

Multisport Westport

Murrisk Community 

O’Briens/Chambers 

Walking for you 

Warriors 

Westport Hotel group 

Westport Ladies Gaelic Club

Westport Park Run/Westport AC

Westport Warriors Basketball Club

Westport United 

Westport Welcomes Ukraine 

Yoga Root