Clonakilty walk raises over €7,000

MORE than 700 people turned out for the annual four-mile Pink Ribbon Walk in Clonakilty on October bank holiday Monday. 

The crowds donned their pink and helped raise over €7,000. The event is in its eighth year and was organised this year by breast cancer survivors Therese Hayes and Teresa O’Neill of Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens. It has raised nearly €70,000 so far, in addition to a huge amount of important awareness of the disease.

Teresa O’Neill said they were delighted with the turnout: ‘Breast cancer affects so many women in our communities, but thankfully survival rates have increased by 7% in recent years. This is down to research into fighting breast cancer and early detection due to increased screening. 

‘The awareness generated by events like pink ribbon walks is also very important. The increase in survival rates is of course very welcome but we would also like to say that our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of those who have not been as fortunate.’

The walkers of all ages set off at 11am on Monday for the four-mile walk round trip from Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens. By 1pm, the walkers returned to the hotel where they were treated to complimentary pink refreshments, including savoury snacks, pink champagne, ice-cream and delicious pink cupcakes. A candle was lit to remember people who have been lost to breast cancer.

Committee member Therese Hayes thanked everyone involved for taking the time to come out and support the fight against breast cancer. The day was a tremendous success and the feedback from all involved was excellent. It is a real community day.’ For more information about breast cancer and other forms of the disease please see www.cancer.ie