Over 550 in the pink of health

Over 550 men and women took part in the third Kells Pink Ribbon Walk last Saturday. The participants ran and walked the sponsored 10 kilometre event in the picturesque surroundings of Drewstown House and the Girley eco bog, near Kells. They were raising funds for Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society. TV presenter and fashion stylist Barbara McMahon, who is an ambassador for Pink Ribbon Walk, was on hand to help launch the 10km event, while also in attendance was RTE news anchor Bryan Dobson, who has served as ambassador for the Kells Pink Ribbon Walk since its inauguration in 2009. Celebrity chef and Pink Ribbon Walk ambassador Clodagh McKenna sent a message of support to all walkers. Moynalty native and Celtic Tenor Matthew Gilsenan serenaded the runners and walkers before they assembled at the start line. A sister Pink Ribbon Walk took place in Killaloe in June 2010 and May 2011. Between them, the four Kells and Killaloe Walks have now raised over €330,000 for Action Breast Cancer - funds which have been put towards scientific research programmes, a patient helpline, cancer literature and other support services, including a pilot scheme to promote physical fitness among breast cancer survivors and those undergoing treatment. The ultimate aim of the Pink Ribbon Walk committee is to have Pink Ribbon Walks taking place all over Ireland. A third new event - The Kinsale Pink Ribbon Walk - is planned in Cork in 2012. Penny McGowan is the founder and chairperson of the Kells Pink Ribbon Walk, and her daughter, Sara McGowan, is a founding member of the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk Committee. The walk was the brainchild of a group of local Kells women, some of whom have survived breast cancer themselves. Breast cancer survivor Wendy Stapleton from Navan, a 39-year-old mum of two, attended the walk on the day with her family and friends in tow, in advance of her marriage to her long-term partner next month. Participants got into the spirit of the day and dressed in pink and fancy dress, with Barbara McMahon and Bryan Dobson on hand to judge the best dressed team and best-dressed individual before the event. Also there was Mary Davis, Presidential candidate and former president of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia, who helped hand out medals to runners and walkers who completed the 10km course. Bryan Dobson concluded the Kells Pink Ribbon Walk with a moving speech and Matthew Gilsenan sang 'Time to Say Goodbye' at a poignant flag-raising ceremony that honoured those who have succumbed to, or are currently fighting, cancer. The closing ceremony also marked the unity, hope, spirit and solidarity of this unique day. The 550 runners and walkers came from 10 counties nationwide, and quenched their thirst with up to 2,000 free bottles of water during and after the event, as well as demolishing some 600 burgers, 600 ice creams and 400 Pink Lady apples after crossing the finish line. Participants wrote the name of the person or people who inspired them to take part in the Walk on pieces of pink ribbon, which were then hung on a clothesline - over 700 metres of pink ribbon were used. The heritage town of Kells was turned into a sea of pink over the weekend, with shop and bar staff proudly wearing pink t-shirts and over 800 pink balloons decorating shop fronts and trees. The historic Spire of Loyd, outside Kells, was also lit up in neon pink every night in the week running up to the walk.