Racing Against Breast Cancer were: 1. Oliver & Stephanie Kelly; 2. Susie & Tina Koumarianos; 3. Charlene McKenna, Barry McKenna & his wife Anna McKenna. (Pics. Brian McEvoy).
The wet weather failed to dampen spirits on Sunday as a host of well known Irish personalities from the worlds of business, art, fashion, music and entertainment came together for Breast Cancer Ireland’s annual “RCSI/AIB Race Against Breast Cancer Day” at Leopardstown Pavilion.
The day, now in its fourth year, attracted over 730 people to a “Sell Out” event and raised in excess of €290,000 which will go towards funding vital breast cancer research aimed at speeding up discovery time and ultimately offering more effective and more personalised treatments for those diagnosed.
This year, to add a further sense of glamour and fun to an already super day, a number of well known personalities such as Irish actress Charlene McKenna; TV presenter Brendan Courtney; Clinic star Leigh Arnold; former Miss World Rosanna Davison and Ireland AM star Sinead Desmond who took on the role of Celebrity Totes dishing out their top racing tips to guests in attendance.
Other invited guests included Mary Kennedy, who was MC for the afternoon; TV3’s Aisling O’Loughlin, Wesley Quirke, model Sarah McGovern and golfer Suzanne Coyne. Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds was also there and had the pleasure of celebrating his birthday on the day.
Once again this year, the esteemed organising committee comprising Kathleen Reynolds; Pat Desmond; Ann Smurfit; and Ann Heffernan to mention just a few, really outdid themselves in these challenging times, by creating a fun filled, exciting and glamorous day at the races.
The piece de resistance however was a live (and impromptu) performance from Chris de Burgh, who entertained everyone with some of his greatest hits.
