Say ‘cheese!’ in support of Happy Faces Day at the Radisson SAS Hotel Galway

This Sunday the Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Galway will keep everyone smiling by hosting a local professional photographer in the hotel lobby from 12pm to 5pm in aid of Happy Faces Day.

The IPPA Happy Faces Day is the annual nationwide fundraising project organised by the Irish Professional Photographers Association, and proceeds benefit Temple Street Children’s University Hospital. Visit the Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Galway this Sunday and have a professional portrait taken for just €25. Photographer Joe McHugh is providing his services free of charge, so all of the proceeds on the day will go towards raising €60,000 for a much needed incubator for the neonatal unit at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital.

In addition to helping raise these essential funds, everyone who participates has the added bonus of their beautifully presented, professionally taken portrait. Put a smile on your face by visiting the Radisson SAS Hotel & Spa Galway this Sunday where you will not only do your bit in support of a truly worthy charity but also create an image to cherish forever.

Tickets for Galway Race Ball on sale May 18th

Grainne Seoige and Oliver Cronin of the Galway Race Ball Committee present Anne O'Coinne, Chairperson of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI), with a cheque for €20,000. Photo: Kyran O'Brien

Popular Race Ball continues to raise funds for important charities amidst economic downturn

There might be a recession going on, but that hasn't stopped the giving spirit of Galway city as the proceeds from the Race Ball 2008 continue to bring much-needed funds to a number of charities across the country. Grainne Seoige and Oliver Cronin of the Galway Race Ball Committee, were on hand this week to present Anne O'Coinne, Chairperson of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI), with a cheque for €20,000, part proceeds from Race Ball 2008 which raised €100,000 for Irish charities.

Speaking at the hand-over Chairman of the Race Ball committee Joe Mitchell said; "We are delighted to help fund the work of Prof. Michael Kerin and his research team at NBCRI not just because they are based in Galway but because their work has both a national and international impact for breast cancer suffers."

Despite all the economic woes in the city and country, Mr Mitchell said they were confident that they would have no trouble selling the 650 tickets for this year's Race Ball, which go on sale on May 18th and will likely, as in years past, sell out on the morning of.

"We're confident we can raise another €100,000 for Irish charities this year," said Mr Mitchell.

For more information about this years Race Ball, the premier black-tie event held at the Radisson SAS Hotel during the Galway Races, visit www.theraceball.ie

Lace up your lady trainers for a good cause

Some of Galway's most recognisable charities are looking for eager and active local women to take part in the Flora Women's Mini Marathon on June 1. Croí, GOAL West of Ireland, and the Galway Rape Crisis Centre are just a few of the charities who have all put forth requests this week to get the women of Galway behind them to raise money for their worthy causes.

The 10k marathon, which starts at St Stephens Green in Dublin and ends in Fitzwilliam Square, is strictly for women only and will go to benefit numerous local, national, and international charities that effect Irish women. The marathon begins at 3pm on the June Bank Holiday Monday and entry fees are €22 for those runners/joggers/walkers who elect to use a timing chip and €15 for those who opt out of the device.

To register visit the marathon website or fill out the entry form in the Evening Herald on Wednesday or Saturday. Then contact the participating local charity (full list below) of your choice for sponsorship forms. Registration ends April 21 or when the maximum number of entries is recieved.

Croí - contact Sue on 091 544331 or text 10k to 086 8193692. Visit www.croi.ie for more info.

GOAL West of Ireland - contact Clara on 091 587901. Visit www.goal.ie for more info.

COPE Galway - contact Orla on 091 778750 or email info@copegalway.ie. Visit www.copegalway.ie for more info.

Cancer Care West - contact 091 529609 or text your name and address to 087 2847110. Visit www.cancercarewest.ie for more info.

Galway Rape Crisis Centre - contact Kay on 087 6816398. Visit www.galwayrcc.org for more info.

Galway Hospice - contact the fundraising department on 091 770868 or email fundraising@galwayhospice.ie. Visit www.galwayhospice.ie for more info.

Console Galway - contact Margaret on 091 782836. Visit www.console.ie for more info.

Simon Community host Post-Paddy's Day Table Quiz at The Dail Bar

A Table Quiz in Aid of Galway Simon Community will take place in the Dail Bar on Cross Street on Wednesday 18th March.

All proceeds will go to the Galway Simon Community's Day Care Centre. Last year, the Centre provided over 5,000 meals to men, women and children who were either homeless or at risk of homelessness in Galway. Your support would be greatly appreciated!

To book your table contact Barry on 091-589415 or fundraising@galwaysimon.ie

Oh yes! It is time to holler “Yes Yes Yes” to safe sex, as The Body Shop and MTV link-up to launch an exclusive Tantalising Lip Butter, funding HIV/ AIDS awareness and prevention. This is one campaign you’ve totally got to shout about, as shockingly, every day over 3,000 young people are newly infected with HIV. Singer Kelly Rowland is adding her voice to the safe sex campaign as research indicates many young people are continuing to ignore the importance of safe sex, taking risks with their own health and that of their sexual partners.

Each purchase of an eye-catching Tantalising Lip Butter through The Body Shop means that 100% of the money raised goes directly to the Staying Alive Foundation - a charity on a mission to save lives through empowering young people around the world to protect themselves and their communities against HIV and AIDS. As nearly half of all new HIV/ AIDS cases are among 15 - 24 year olds, there has never been a better time to get behind a safe sex campaign - as HIV and AIDS doesn’t discriminate against anyone, regardless of age, sex, background or race.

The preservative-free lip butter, which is made up of extracts of exotic dragonfruit, also includes ingredients sourced through the unique Community Trade fair trade programme at The Body Shop, including moisturising shea butter from Ghana to help protect your lips, as well as organic beeswax.

Make a positive impact on lives all over the world and shout aloud ‘Yes Yes Yes’ with the Special Edition Tantalising Lip Butter, available from March 23rd from The Body Shop on Shop Street for just €6.95. In addition to in-store activities, the campaign includes an advertising campaign on MTV Networks International, and web activities at www.yestosafesex.com.

Over the last two years MTV and The Body Shop have raised over £1.1 million which has gone directly to the Staying Alive Foundation. This funding has provided grants to young people to work on HIV prevention efforts amongst their peers at a grass-roots level - through influencing, educating and inspiring young people to make them aware of the risks of HIV/ AIDS. To find out more about the award recipients benefiting from campaign support, and see the difference that just one voice can make, visit: www.staying-alive.org.