EGM Cancer Support Moves Against Cancer

29/5/2022

Ultan Dillane, Mack Hansen, Emilly Gavin, Oísin McCormack, Colm Reilly, Mathew Devine.

The East Galway & Midlands Cancer Support Centre held their Move Against Cancer Fundraiser recently in St Michael’s Square which netted a cool €7,000 for the services at the Brackernagh based centre.

The head to head competition involved teams of three using exercise machines to see how many miles they could clock up collectively in ten minutes. The treadmill started moving from 9am and did not stop until 7pm in the evening, with the first brave teams getting ready to compete from 10am. The response to the call for teams was immense with over 25 teams signing up to compete from across Galway and the Midlands, meaning the machines, that were sponsored by the Shearwater Hotel, did not get a break all day!

On what was a bitterly cold day, there was still a party-like atmosphere with performances from the Town Band, Ria Purcell Milkshake Dance and Performance Academy, The Boogie Men, In-Step Stage School, and Rachel Goode, to keep spirits high and all spectators entertained.

Support for the fundraiser continued with Connacht and Irish Rugby player, Ultan Dillane launching the day. He was joined by Six Nations heroes Mack Hansen and Matthew Devine. Shane Jennings and Oísin McCormack, Colm Reilly and Emily Gavin were also good sports, taking to the machines to see how far they can go.

Further support came from the Queen of the Fair Ashley Walsh and local businesses, Cathal Coleman Triur Construction, The Bread Basket, Domac, Eurospar and members of the Fair and Festival Committee. As the day wore on, it was clear that no-one was going to beat the crew of Ronan Garvey, Christopher Donnellan and James Garvey from Cappataggle who set an incredible distance of 11.25km.

Noel Gavin, Transport Manager of the EGM Centre expressed his gratitude for all who got involved: “An enormous thanks must go to everyone who participated on the day; they remained good humoured despite tired limbs and treadmill jelly legs! We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported this fundraiser. We have raised over €7000, and all donations will go straight back into the Centre and ensure that we can continue to provide support and care for cancer patients.”