In Aid of the Irish Cancer Society
The 2016 Hurling for Cancer Research charity match, organised by legendary racehorse trainer Jim Bolger and two-time National Hunt champion jockey Davy Russell, has already raised €105,000 for the Irish Cancer Society’s cancer research.
The charitable duo have now raised over €500,000 for the society’s vital research over the last five years through their annual celebrity hurling match involving Ireland’s top GAA, horse racing and sporting stars.
This year’s clash in St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge on August 9th saw Davy Russell’s Best, jockey for poll position against Jim Bolger’s Stars. When the final whistle blew it was Russell’s side which claimed the glory for the first time in five years, with a score of 5:24 to 6:15.
Sporting celebrities Niall Quinn, Davy Fitzgerald, DJ Carey, Katie Walsh and Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh were among the famous names who lined out to support the match.
Jim Bolger said:
“Hurling for Cancer Research is a great example of sportsmanship. To raise this substantial amount of money was a real team effort. Davy and I would like to thank all the men and women who lined out on the pitch for a fantastic game of hurling, to those who bought tickets and supported the game in any way, you have all helped us in the fight back against cancer. Cancer is a disease that has unfortunately touched families across the country, but research is already having a positive impact with more and more people now surviving cancer.”
The Irish Cancer Society is the leading voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland. Since 2011, the Society has invested over €14m into funding 135 individuals whose areas of research encompass breast, prostate, blood, oesophageal, colorectal, childhood, head and neck, brain, lung and ovarian cancer.
Mark Mellett, Head of Fundraising, Irish Cancer Society, said: “We are blown away by the extraordinary sum of money that Jim Bolger and Davy Russell have raised through Hurling for Cancer Research. For five years now Mr Bolger and Mr Russell have gathered our greatest sports stars on the field – raising an phenomenal half a million euro in the process. This money has already, and will continue to, improve the lives of cancer patients by developing better treatments and techniques to diagnose and treat this disease.”
For more information or to donate visit www.cancer.ie
