Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland is delighted to have been selected as one of Ireland West Airport’s charity partners for 2022, alongside The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and Sensational Kids.

With the removal of Covid-19 restrictions, Ireland West Airport will once again hold its hugely popular annual runway run, raising money for its three charity partners, as Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport explained.

“After a tough period over the last two years for both the airport and indeed charities around the country, we are delighted to be relaunching our annual charity programme and partnering with three great charities in 2022. Our Staff Charity programme has to date raised almost €150,000 for Irish charities and we hope this year will again see much needed funds raised for the three new charities, who all undertake such fantastic work in our communities. The return of our hugely popular runway run for the first time since 2019, which will take place on our newly resurfaced runway, we hope will be more popular than ever as normality returns to everyday life.”

The annual 5k Runway Fun Run, sponsored by Portwest, will take place on the runway, a unique opportunity for runners and walkers to take-off down the newly resurfaced runway, completing a 5km course with a difference.

The run takes place on Saturday September 10th at 5pm. All are welcome to attend what promises to be fantastic evening for all the family. Entry costs €20 per adult and €5 for under-16s. A special family rate of €40 will be available for families of 2 adults and 2 kids. All participants will receive a race t-shirt and complimentary car parking and refreshments at the airport will be provided on the day.

To mark the special event, all participants who register online to take part will be entered into a draw to win two return flights to Majorca and Cologne with Ryanair. The number of participants is restricted and those interested are advised to register early to avoid disappointment. For the first time this year, a ‘Virtual option’ will also be available for those who wish to support the three charities but are unable to make it on the day and would like to do a virtual run or walk.

Laura Cullinan, Director at Childhood Cancer Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be one of the chosen charity partners of Ireland West Airport for 2022. This year, 328 children, adolescents and young adults will be diagnosed with childhood cancer in Ireland and sadly one in five of those children will not survive. As a non-government funded organisation we rely on the generosity of public donations to fund our vital support services for families affected by childhood cancer. We are currently funding projects in children’s wards in three hospitals in the western region, helping to improve facilities for families whose children attend a local hospital, outside of the Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, for their cancer related care. We plan to expand this project in the western region in 2022/2023.”

Participants can find out more and sign up by visiting: www.irelandwestairport.com/runwayrun.