Fundraisers make their mark with Bandon plaque

A DEDICATED  group of fundraisers from Bandon have been honoured for raising more than €200,000 for cancer services at the Mercy Hospital since 2012. 

The Mercy Hospital Foundation, in conjunction with the  County Council, has erected a specially commissioned plaque  at the end of the Graham Norton Riverwalk to recognise the group who among other fundraisers organise the annual ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk. 

The group of almost 70 people started out by climbing Carrauntoohil in July 2012, in memory of Bandon man Mark Prendergast, who lost his battle with testicular cancer that June. Together they raised €13,600 for the foundation. 

Then in 2013, the group of Mark’s family and friends resurrected a popular 22km charity walk from the Viaduct to Bandon under the name of the ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ charity walk. 

And now every year the walk is organised by this group which is committed to making a difference, raising funds and awareness for cancer patients and their families. 

A large portion of the monies raised since the walk’s inception will go towards the cost of developing the Mercy Hospital Foundation’s new Cancer Centre  – a space to support people on their cancer journey. 

This year’s ‘Make Your Mark on Cancer’ walk is set for Sunday, July 16th, and it is hoped that the fundraising efforts will hit the quarter of a million euro mark. 

Damien Prendergast, Mark’s brother and chairman of the organising committee said: ‘Our aim this year is to reach the €250,000 milestone. 

‘We encourage the people of Bandon, and further afield to join us and make this dream a reality.’

Mícheál Sheridan of the Mercy Hospital Foundation said it was a fitting way to acknowledge the continued support and dedication of a group of people who have made a staggering contribution to cancer treatment at the Mercy.