Musgrave Triathlon To Raise Funds To Fight Childhood Cancer In Ireland

26 May 2009

The eighth annual Musgrave Triathlon, which to date has raised over €2.5 million in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, was launched today by Rocky Elsom, member of the Leinster rugby team and Heineken Cup final man-of-the-match. The triathlon will take place at Farran Woods in Cork on Saturday 5th September.  It attracts over 500 participants every year and it is hoped that the triathlon will raise another record amount in 2009.

The Musgrave Triathlon, which raised €350,000 in 2008 alone, has provided much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin since its inception in 2002. To date, funds raised from the Musgrave Triathlon have been used in the construction of the Oncology/Haematology outpatient facilities in the New Medical Tower at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

Shea Fahy, HR Director, Musgrave, said, “The Irish Cancer Society and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin play a vital role in combating cancer in Ireland.  Core to the Musgrave philosophy is building vibrant communities, so we are proud to support both organisations and to raise vital funds to help them achieve their objectives.  The triathlon is a great way for people to get involved and have a bit of fun at the same time.  From a personal perspective, it is fantastic to see the passion displayed by the participants, our retail partners and our staff in the run up to the event each year.  I would urge people to log onto www.musgrave-triathlon.com to see how to get involved and raise funds for these two great charities.”

This year funds raised will be directed towards the development of the new emergency department in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and the establishment of Daffodil Centres by the Irish Cancer Society in each of the Centres of Excellence around the country.  

Extending the Emergency Department at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, presents a fantastic opportunity to improve the care and service delivered to patients. Currently the Emergency Department has nine clinical spaces where patients are treated; this will increase to fourteen treatment rooms following the extension, which is expected to be completed in October 2009.

This year, the Irish Cancer Society has committed to further expand its services to cancer patients through the development of Daffodil Centres in hospitals across Ireland.

The Daffodil Centres will be managed by Irish Cancer Society cancer care nurses and staffed by trained volunteers. The centres will provide information on cancer and its treatment to cancer patients and their families during diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

The first Daffodil Centre is currently being established in Galway University Hospital and other planned centres will be rolled out to selected hospitals nationwide on a phased basis. Monies raised through the Musgrave Triathlon will help fund the establishment and development of these Centres, to help and support thousands across Ireland through the cancer journey.

Commenting, David Doran, Chief Executive of the Children’s Medical and Research Foundation at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, said, ”We are extremely grateful for the continued contribution from the Musgrave Triathlon fund towards the development of our Emergency Department.  The new extension will play a integral role in enhancing the quality of patient care at the hospital and it will also help to cater for demand for these vital services thanks to the added number of beds.”


Since the inaugural triathlon in 2002, the popular event has seen over 3,000 participants take to the water, roads and running tracks around Farran Woods in County Cork to raise much needed funds for these two fantastic charities.

The triathlon involves an 800m swim, followed by a 33km cycle and a 10 km run. Entry forms and advanced training schedules can be downloaded from www.musgrave-triathlon.com or by contacting Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland on 021 480 3000.

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For further information please contact:

Piaras Kelly                                 Anne-Marie Fenton
Edelman                                     Communications Executive
01 6789333                                 Musgrave Retail Partners
086 8131691                               087 2488105
piaras.kelly@edelman.com            Annemarie.fenton@musgrave.ie