Record breaking numbers take part in Waterford's Run and Walk for Life in aid of Solas cancer centre
Jane Fraher, Catherine Moore, Waterford News & Star, Minnie Mouse and Louise Fraher at the Solas Run and Walk For Life on Sunday, October 13. Photo: Garrett FitzGerald
The Solas Cancer Support Centre’s Run and Walk for Life took place in Waterford City on Sunday, October 13, and Dungarvan’s Greenway on Saturday, October 12, with nearly 4,000 people taking part over the two days in what is the sixteenth year of the event.
A new 4K family walk was added to both Waterford and Dungarvan this year to encourage families to take part in tandem with the 10K routes.
Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy had the honour of officially starting the Waterford event, where he wished all participants an enjoyable day as they helped raise funds for this very important service.
Last year, the Run and Walk for Life event raised €195,000. These funds went towards supporting the running costs of the service, which cost €1 Mmillion to operate in 2023.
Tracy McDaid, Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre, explains what this annual event means to the charity: “We had incredible numbers signing up for our Run and Walk for Life this year. With our 15th anniversary last year, we did not think we could surpass the 2023 numbers and are stunned that we did.
"2,900 people took part in Waterford City, 700 in Dungarvan, with 250 people taking part virtually."
Tracy added, "The people of Waterford as well as the surrounding counties have been a huge support to Solas Cancer Support Centre and we want to thank each and every one of them for coming out to support us this year.
"Many people are return supporters and have been taking part since the event started and we are so grateful to them as the Run and Walk for Life is our main annual fundraiser.
"I’d also like to thank our event partners UPMC, WLR FM and Eirgen, whose substantial contributions have played a significant role in both events.”
The Solas Cancer Support Centre is based in Williamstown, Waterford City and in a Dungarvan-based centre that supports west Waterford clients.
The service offers a range of free supports, include counselling, complementary therapies, art psychotherapy, children and adolescent services, acupuncture, bereavement support, information and printed booklets along with wellness programs and information sessions.
Over 8,700 one-to-one support sessions were delivered by Solas Cancer Support Centre in 2023.
