Training and fundraising for Kells Pink Ribbon Walk in full swing

IT is all systems go for the third annual Kells Pink Ribbon Walk, which takes place on Saturday, 3rd September this year and a number of fundraising events are being held around the county in advance of the walk. A fun Pink Day was held at the Headfort Arms Hotel on Friday and participants took turns on a treadmill, supervised by personal trainer Sidney Brito. An astounding €1,055 was collected on the day for Kells Pink Ribbon Walk. "We were delighted with the positive reaction from everybody on the day and the interest in signing up to do the walk," said Pink Ribbon chairperson, Penny McGowan. "A number of other events are planned for the coming weeks, so keep an eye on our website for news and don't forget that you can register online too." Other fund-raising events planned include a second-hand costume jewellery and accessories auction in Colwell's Pub in Oristown at 8.30pm on Saturday 20th August. There will also be a Pink Ribbon Week from 24th to 27th August at Hairbase, Suffolk Street, Kells, featuring pink food and pink drink and spot prizes for customers wearing pink, a €10 blow-dry from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday 25th August (all monies go to Pink Ribbon Walk), a sponsored silence by the stylists from 4pm to 6pm on Friday 26th August and a Shave Or Dye event on Saturday 27th August. Any other businesses who would like to organise inventive fund-raising events in aid of Pink Ribbon should contact the organisers directly. Together with its sister walk in Killaloe, the Kells Pink Ribbon Walk has raised over €300,000 to date for Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society. A further walk is planned for Kinsale in Co Cork in 2012. Lead sponsors, Specsavers, recently held a successful fund-raising drive in its Navan store and a second Pink Fun Day is planned for the Mullingar branch on Friday 12th August. Kerril Hickey, partner in the Specsavers Navan, Drogheda and Mullingar stores revealed that each branch will be entering a team in the event. "As an employer, I see the walk as a great way of building team spirit among my staff and giving them a fun day out, all for a great cause," he said. "I would encourage all employers to get their staff involved." The Loft Restaurant in Navan and the Headfort Arms Hotel and Flo Web Design in Kells are other businesses who have already committed to entering a team. Over 600 men and women took part in the event last year. All participants in this year's walk who have registered by Friday 19th August will be entered in to a free draw to win a package that includes two half-day spa breaks at the Headfort Arms Hotel Spa Rooms (including a full body massage, facial and manicure) and two pampering hampers from The Handmade Soap Company. The second prize is two tickets to the Kells Chamber of Commerce Garden Party on the night of the walk. The 2011 Kells Pink Ribbon Walk start at Drewstown House on Saturday 3rd September, with the 10km run setting off at 2.45pm and the walk scheduled to start at 3pm. Once again, the walk will follow a scenic looped route, starting at Drewstown House and taking in the unique and beautiful Girley Eco Bog Walk. For those interested in the cross-country run, personal trainer Liam Newman is planning some training events on the Drewstown/Girley Bog over the coming weeks. Please check the website for further updates and details. All money raised in sponsorship from the Pink Ribbon Walks goes directly to Action Breast Cancer to fund local and national services for people who have been affected by breast cancer. Register online at www.pinkribbonwalk.ie or pick up a registration form in Navan at Specsavers, and in Kells at Supervalu, the Headfort Arms Hotel, Dunnes The Premier House and the Kells Chamber of Commerce office. The registration fee is €20. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help in the run-up or on the day of the Pink Ribbon Walk should get in touch with the organisers.