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Hundreds of people turned out at Farran Woods, Co. Cork recently to participate in the annual Musgrave Triathlon. Now in its eight year, the event has raised a whopping €2.5million to date in much needed funds for two very worthy charities – Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and the Irish Cancer Society.
Pictured recently at Bernies Super Valu, Roscrea were the triathlon team that helped raise much need funds for “The Irish Cancer Society” and “Our lady’s Hospital Crumlin”
L/R:
Brian Colclough, Edel Farrelly, Meghan Corrigan, Tadgh Corley, Josie Stone (Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin).
Bernies Super Valu Roscrea had three competitors in the event and they were Meghan Corrigan, Edel Farrelly and Tadhg Corley.
Each athlete has their own specialty. Meghan completed 800m swim, Edel embarked on the 33km cycle and Tadhg successfully completed the 10km run. Speaking this week former triathlon competitor and mentor to the team, Mr Seamus Mahon said he was very proud of the teams achievement. Seamus said that the athletes showed tremendous courage and determination during their tough training regime and ultimately it was that spirit which helped them to successfully complete the event on the big day.
Brian Colclough, Manager of Super Valu, Roscrea, said it was fantastic to work with people with such initiative and he thanked the public for supporting the athletes in the build up to the event. Mr Colclough complemented all the staff of Bernies Super Valu all of whom played a significant part in helping raise much needed funds for charity in the build up to the triathlon.
Commenting on the event, Donal Horgan, Managing Director, Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland said “ We are delighted with everyone’s participation- our retail partners in SuperValu and Centra, our suppliers, my colleagues in Musgrave and the general public have all stepped up to the mark for a very good cause. Our Triathlon has been in existence now for eight years and it is great to see that the enthusiasm has not waned. This event is something we feel very passionate about in terms of our ability to support and work closely with two such deserving and essential services here in Ireland. Unfortunately cancer touches so many families across Ireland and we are delighted to be doing our bit to help those families at a time when they really need it. Community is at the heart of the Musgrave company values and this event is a great example of a community coming together to help others.”
David Doran, CEO, Children’s Medical and Research Foundation, Crumlin said “The Musgrave Triathlon is a huge event in our hospitals calendar. It means so much to the hospital in terms of the amount raised and the use we can put to the money, in making a difference to the lives of very sick children. It is amazing to see what one organisation can do when there is the commitment and focus of all involved to raising funds for very worthy causes. We have committed the money raised from this Triathlon to complete the expansion of our emergency department. The new unit will provide extra clinical assessment rooms and a dedicated area for the management of patients with secondary illnesses and injuries, giving patients and their families’ invaluable access to sophisticated and advanced facilities in a caring and modern environment.”
According to Mr. John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society it is wonderful to see this annual fundraising event organised by Musgrave's coming around again. Cancer touches all of our lives directly or indirectly. It is conservatively estimated that approximately one in three people will have cancer at some time in their lives. 28,500 cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2009 alone; therefore it is so important for us to have the best systems in place to help these patients and their families through this traumatic time.
The monies raised by competitors and supporters of the triathlon this year will go towards the development of Daffodil Centres in hospitals across Ireland. These centres will provide information and counseling services for the cancer patients and their families. Manned by a specialist nurse and trained volunteers, these clinics will offer refuge to those dealing with the stress and trauma of a cancer diagnosis. Our first centre has opened at Galway University Hospital and we hope to roll these out to all the centres of excellence hospitals over the coming years. Our sincere thanks to Musgrave's for their hard work and commitment in making this event possible and their on-going support of the Irish Cancer Society
150 teams participated in this year’s triathlon which followed the traditional pattern of swimming, cycling and running, with the competitors being given the option of doing it solo or entering a three person team, with each member taking part in one area.
The first leg of the event kicked off with the 800m swim, which was a warm up for the next two sections.
The cyclists eagerly awaited their companions to emerge from the water before setting off on their 33km cycle, while the solo participants dried off in haste before mounting their bikes to continue their journey.
Once the cycle was completed, brave competitors began a 10km run which brought them to the finish line. An overall distance of 41 kilometres was travelled by competitors who finished all three legs of the triathlon.
As with previous year’s Farran Woods buzzed with energy and excitement, an excellent venue for the event, which was a huge success. Store owners and staff from SuperValu and Centra stores throughout the country joined in with other competitors who completed the gruelling task, demonstrating the tremendous support and commitment of the company and its employees towards an event that can make such a difference to the lives of others.
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