By Paddy Walsh
SERVICES and initiatives that benefit from Relay for Life Donegal received a massive boost this week when it was announced that €222, 831 was raised from the event held last May.
It brings the total generated since Relay got underway in the county 2012, to over €2 million – an astonishing figure that sums up just what the event entails.
The announcement was made at Tuesday night’s presentation night in the Mount Errigal Hotel where survivors, carers, team members, volunteers and committee representatives gathered to celebrate the achievement.
Chairperson of Relay for Life Donegal, Seamus Devine referred to the “huge success” of the event over the years and thanked all who had supported it in any way in its 13 years of existence.
“You’ve contributed whether you have walked the Relay track, purchased a candle bag, dropped a few euro into the donation buckets and supported one of the many events run by the teams.”
He praised all the volunteers who helped out before, during, and after the Relay for Life weekend.
“The money raised makes a huge difference and will fund vital services for people affected by cancer,” the chairperson insisted.
He pointed to the various initiatives including night nursing, counselling, volunteer drivers and research. “In the past two years alone, over half a million euro was spent in Donegal on such services.”
Edel Shovlin and Ciara Hughes, both representing the Irish Cancer Society, also highlighted the various initiatives for which the funding is vital and lauded the efforts of all involved in Donegal Relay for Life.
Ena Barrett, entertainment organiser, thanked all the acts and MCs who gave up their time freely to contribute to the Relay weekend. “Without them it would be a quiet affair,” she declared.
Relay for Life committee members past and present who since 2012 have raised €2,048,106-00 for the Irish Cancer Society with this years cheque for €222,831-00 at the Relay For Life Donegal 2025 cheque presentation event in the Mount Errigal Hotel on Tuesday night. Photo Clive Wasson
The schools initiative was also referred to – with secondary and primary schools involved in helping to educate students and promote Relay.
Donal Kavanagh was wearing several hats (or shirts at any rate!) on the night. Primarily he was MC for the occasion, then he performed with the Letterkenny Ukulele Orchestra before later taking his part in the Relay for Life Survivors Choir.
And before the end of the night, he, and his fellow choir members, were the recipients of the prestigious Gordy Klatt Award – named after the American who founded the Relay initiative 40 years ago.
“Shocked and stunned”, Donal summed up the emotions of the Survivors Choir as they received the award.
And he was quick to dedicate the honour to those members who had passed away in recent years including Bernard Kennedy, Corrine Moyne, John McGlinchey, Sean Diver and Astrid McLaughlin. “All the friends we have lost. They are very much still with us,” he maintained.
The music was one part of the night – there was much more on this evening of celebration and remembrance.
Founding member of Donegal Relay, Ena Barrett, asked the survivors in the attendance to stand up to receive due applause; then it was the turn of the carers who were also acknowledged; and lastly she asked everyone who had lost a family member or friend to stand. And that embraced everybody there – underlining again the importance of raising the funds to battle the disease.
On a sign beside the stage in the Mount Errigal Hotel function room, the stirring message read: ‘Cancer Fears the Relayers’.
And consequently the fight goes on amongst the Relay community.
The teams who took part in this year’s Donegal Relay for Life were presented with certificates to mark their involvement while the garages and gymnasiums who participated in the Donegal International Car Push, organised by Robert O’Connor and Ciaran Shiels, were also the recipients of certificates.
The dates for the 2026 Relay for Life at the Letterkenny ATU campus were also announced on the night – pencil in May 23 and 24 for this memorable event. And help add to the €2 million plus already raised for cancer research and other related initiatives in what continues to be a remarkable journey.
Led by singer, Sinead Black, herself a prominent supporter of Relay for Life, the Survivors Choir brought the evening to a close with a rendering of ‘Congratulations’ – highly appropriate on the night that was in it.
