Colour Dash 2018 Launch

Stars of The Young Offenders go on a colourful riot to launch Colour Dash 2018

Dates announced for Irish Cancer Society Colour Dash sponsored by Aldi

Stars of RTE’s Young Offenders were up to their usual colourful antics today, but this time for a good cause as they announced the line-up of The Irish Cancer Society’s 2018 Colour Dashes.

PJ Gallagher who plays exasperated headmaster Brian in the hit RTE show, was joined by Chris Walley and Alex Murphy, teenage terrors Jock and Conor, for a riot of colour as they urged members of the public to sign up for the fun 5k.

Colour Dash, Ireland’s most fun-filled family run, is sponsored by Aldi Ireland. It takes place in four locations this year, including a new location in Limerick. All money raised is used to support cancer patients and to fund vital cancer research. Locations for 2018 are: NUI Galway, 10 June, Phoenix Park Dublin, 17 June, University of Limerick, 23 June and Pairc Uí Chaoimh, Cork on 24 June.

[[{"fid":"7993","view_mode":"preview","fields":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Colour Dash Launch 2018 Young Offenders Aldi","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"preview","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Colour Dash Launch 2018 Young Offenders Aldi","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"link_text":null,"attributes":{"alt":"Colour Dash Launch 2018 Young Offenders Aldi","style":"float: right; margin: 2px;","class":"media-element file-preview","data-delta":"1"}}]]Announcing the 2018 events, PJ Gallagher said, “Colour Dash is a fantastic opportunity for families in Ireland to enjoy a fun day out, while helping the 40,000 people who will get a cancer diagnosis this year. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer, and I lost my dad to the illness. Colour Dash, sponsored by Aldi, is a fun event with a serious cause at the heart of it. We can all play our part in the fight back against cancer. Sign up now at cancer.ie/colourdash and help raise crucial funds for cancer research and supports for cancer patients and their loved ones.”

Averil Power, Chief Executive of the Irish Cancer Society said, “As the number of Irish people with cancer increases, record numbers are turning to the Irish Cancer Society for information, care and support. Only two per cent of our funding comes from the State. We are therefore hugely dependent on money raised through events like Colour Dash to fund vital lifesaving cancer research and services such as our Night Nurses, Volunteer Drivers and Freephone Cancer Nurseline. Inject some colour into your summer by taking on a Colour Dash and show your support for people affected by cancer.”

Since 2016 Aldi have supported the Irish Cancer Society to raise over €600,000 through Colour Dash and other fundraising including sponsorship, staff ‘Bric a Brac’ collections, staff donations, sales of Daffodil Day daffodils and charity cards at Aldi’s stores. 

Aldi Ireland’s Group Buying Director Finbar McCarthy said: "Aldi is very proud to partner with Irish Cancer Society and support the Colour Dash for the third year in a row. This is a wonderful event for a cause that is close to the hearts of our customers and staff. Staff across our 130 Irish stores are gearing up to make this year’s Colour Dash a success, having already raised over €600,000 since 2016 to help provide essential services for people affected by cancer. We look forward to seeing the Aldi teams and supporters out in force around the country for this great initiative.”   

Sign up now at cancer.ie/colourdash as spaces for each Colour Dash are limited and expected to sell out again this year. Registration is €30 per person, and €5 for children under 12.