Reds raise funds for Irish Cancer Society

Over €10,000 was donated to the Irish Cancer Society from the team at the Irish Redhead Convention. The money was fundraised as part of the 2015 festival which took place last August in Crosshaven, Co. Cork. Various fundraising activities including ginger speed dating, outdoor yoga, mouse racing, fun redhead competitions and activities, as well as a 20% donation from all red-gistration fees contributed towards the donation. The Irish Cancer Society is 92% funded by the public and this money goes to work in three key areas: a free nationwide information, support and care service; cancer research; and advocacy. Nursing Services, Daffodil Centres, the Care to Drive scheme and a National Smokers Quitline are just some of the servicers that the Irish Cancer Society provide. The national cancer helpline is a freephone number and can be reached on 1800 200 700 The Irish Redhead Convention started in 2010 as a friendly joke between redhead siblings Joleen and Denis Cronin. Over 2,000 participants, approx half of whom were natural redheads gathered in Crosshaven for this years event. These included redheads from all over Ireland and as far away as Australia, USA and all over Europe, celebrating the rare redhead gene and the unique Irish festival with fun ginger themed activities such as freckle counting, redhead photoshoots, a parade of natural redheads and the crowning of the Redhead King and Queen. Naturally, free sachets of sunscreen and a message for fair skinned redheads to be careful in the sun was the message advocated throughout the whacky convention.  Red hair is the rarest hair colour in the world with only 0.6% of the global population carrying the gene. Ireland has one of the highest numbers of heads of red with 10% sporting a ginger crown. However for the month of November, we are likely to see a lot more red as the popular Movember campaign, which also raises funds and awareness for Cancer gets into full swing. Expect to see ginger moustaches, as 40% of our celtic population are carrying the ginger gene which often appears in men’s facial hair!.  [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"4984","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"335","width":"480"}}]] Festival organisers are advising redheads and ginger lovers to put a big red mark around the dates 19-21 August 2016 in their diary now as this will be the 7th annual edition of the convention and will once again take place in the seaside village of Crosshaven, Co. Cork.