Republican Youth Runs Laps for Charity

Members of Sinn Fein Republican Youth Cork are normally seen to be pounding the pavements with leaflets in their hands. However, this was not the case at the weekend. Alongside members of the Martin Hurson Cumann UCC, RY were out in force, with public representatives, to help raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.

A 24-hour relay race was hosted by the charity in the Mardyke Arena, UCC. It took place between Friday at 6pm right through ‘til Saturday afternoon. Societies from the college were asked to take part in the event. Sinn Fein was the only political party on campus to have entered a team.

The event was challenging but great fun all the same. Each team had to have a member on the track at all times. Republican Youth made sure at least two people were doing it to keep each other company. Members walked, ran, skipped and jogged laps of the track.

Throughout the course of the night, various games were played to keep things lively. Different laps were introduced including the “Congo Lap” and the “Piggy Back Lap”. Although they would rather be in bed, Republican Youth took part in the games.

During the night, paper bags with candles in them were lit. The bags had messages on them to survivors of people that had died from cancer. These bags lined the side of the track.

Despite the freezing cold winds and the long hours, Republican Youth kept going. Every member knew someone with cancer or who had it and was determined to raise money for the deserving charity. Although the fundraising is still ongoing, we have raised over 200 euro so far.