FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) SECTION
Looking for more details about the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk?
What is the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk?
Who can take part in the Ribbon Walk?
How fit do I need to be?
How much is it to take part in the Ribbon Walk?
How much sponsorship do I have to raise?
How do I enter?
When do I have to sign up by?
Can you help publicise the event?
ON THE DAY
Will car parking be available?
Where does the Ribbon Walk finish?
What is the route like?
Will there be any toilet facilities available?
Will litter bins be provided?
Is there somewhere near by where I can stay?
What support will I be given on the route?
What should I wear?
What will happen when I finish?
Can I bring a pushchair?
Is the route accessible for wheelchair users?
Can I bring my dog?
If I can't take part in the event, is there another way that I can help instead?
Sponsorship
Do you have some fundraising tips?
Are there prizes for the best fundraisers?
What is the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk?
The Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk is a fundraising event for Action Breast Cancer (a programme of the Irish Cancer Society). The walk is taking place on June 19th 2010. It is a circular route and is approximately 10 kilometres long. It is open to all those wanting to support the cause, be they out for a leisurely stroll, a powerwalk or even a run.
Who can take part in the Ribbon Walk?
The Pink Ribbon Walk is open to women of all abilities. Men are welcome to take part – but only if they agree to don a pink bra or wear some item of pink!
The minimum age to take part is 16 years, and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult. We request that there is at least one adult present for every two under-age participants. Unfortunately the course is not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs.
It does not matter if you are an experienced walker or have never done anything like this before – as long as you put in the training. It is designed to be challenging but achievable. There is plenty of time to train and training tips will be provided – keep an eye on our website for further updates. The Walk is not meant to be competitive: it's all about having fun and sharing camaraderie, whilst raising money for charity.
How much is it to take part in the Ribbon Walk?
The entry fee to take part in the Pink Ribbon Walk is €20 per participant. This non-refundable entry fee covers the administration and various costs (health and safety issues, insurance, printing etc.) involved in organising the Walk. For this entry fee, you will receive:?• an information pack with event details, sponsorship form, training tips and fundraising ideas?• a Website with up-to-date information on the Event?• an artist-designed Pink Ribbon Walk T-shirt to wear on the day?• refreshments and toilet facilities on the route?• a Pink Ribbon Walk medal and a barbeque at the finish
How much sponsorship do I have to raise?
Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of €100 in sponsorship money (in addition to the €20 entry fee) – which must be received by Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk by 31st July 2010. Every cent of the money raised via sponsorship will go to Action Breast Cancer Ireland. Ideally sponsorship money will be brought to the registration night on June 18th or on the day of the event.
Once you start fundraising, you'll find people to be very generous. To reach your target, you only need 20 friends to sponsor you €5 each, or 10 friends paying €10 each to take part in a quiz or come to a fundraising BBQ – the fun things you can do to raise the money are endless! We'll have lots more ideas on our fundraising tips page – watch this space...
Special offer!
We are, of course, aware of the effects of the current economic climate. With this in mind, we are launching a special offer. If you can get a group of 10 people together – through work or friends – then you can sign up as a team and raise a minimum of €750 between you.
The number of people being diagnosed with breast cancer each year is still increasing and demand for the supports provided by Action Breast Cancer is at an all-time high – and all of these services are wholly supported by voluntary events such as the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk.
• Online: You can download the entry form here Entry Form or email
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and we'll post one out to you.?• Telephone: Call 085 2020434 and we'll send you out an entry form.?• Entry forms will also be widely available in local shops, libraries etc.?• Post your completed entry form and cheque for €20 to Pink Ribbon Walk, c/o Cerise Shoes, Convent Hill, Killaloe, Co. Clare. We will then post you/ deliver an information pack, including sponsorship form, and a unique artist-designed Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk t-shirt.
Participants enter on a first come first served basis. Entries will close once the event limit is reached for health and safety reasons, so we would strongly encourage you to sign up soon – which will also give you more time in which to raise sponsorship.
The closing date is Friday June 4th 2010.
Can you help publicise the event?
We will have flyers, posters and extra entry forms available to anyone who is willing to help us spread the word about the Walk. Also, we would love to hear your personal stories or reasons for getting involved – we may use your story to inspire others to take part via the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk Newsletter. We would also welcome any ideas you may have that would help us publicise this event in the media - it is all about raising money to help fight breast cancer! Phone or email us for further information.
ON THE DAY
What time does the Pink Ribbon Walk start?
Walkers / Runners for the 10k route should allow plenty of time and be on site at least half an hour before the 2.30pm start. There will be a fun aerobic warm-up routine, led by a personal trainer, taking place at 2.00pm.
Will car parking be available?
Parking facilities are available for all participants. However, car-pooling is encouraged and we also plan to put a Park & Ride facility in place – check our website closer to the event for further updates.
Please follow the directions of the car parking stewards on arrival. Allow extra time for your journey as the roads on the approach to the venue may become congested. Get there early and enjoy the atmosphere!
Where does the Ribbon Walk finish?
As the Ribbon Walks takes a looped route, you will finish back at the start venue.
The Walk takes place initially through the picturesque Ballina/ Killaloe village and then meanders up onto lovely country roads overlooking Lough Derg, before returning back down and along the lake shore to the Lakeside Hotel.
Will there be any toilet facilities available?
Toilets will be provided at the start/finish areas and at rest stops at regular intervals along the route.
Will there be any food or refreshments provided? ?Water will be provided for all participants at regular intervals along the route. However, we recommend that you carry some water and a snack with you in a backpack.
We will have plenty of litter bins and skips on site. Please remember to leave nothing behind but your footprints! We would ask all participants to follow the advice laid down in The Country Code for walkers (visit www.walkireland.ie for details).
Is there somewhere near by where I can stay?
Any participants who wish to stay locally the night before or the night of the walk are more than welcome. We would like to recommend The Lakeside Hotel, Ballina 061 376 122 www.lakesidehotel.ie
What support will I be given on the route?
You will be well supported and guided throughout the walk and there will always be someone friendly to talk and walk with. Pink Ribbon Walk signs will be clearly placed all the way along the route. At regular intervals along the route, there will be marshals to help guide and encourage you on your way. Please do listen to any advice or guidance they may offer you, as they are there to ensure you enjoy your day.
To help identify participants, please wear your free Pink Ribbon Walk T-shirt. Running shoes are the most appropriate footwear. And, as we all know, the Irish weather can be a little temperamental, so it is advisable to bring wet weather gear- hopefully it will not be needed.
What will happen when I finish?
All participants will receive a well-deserved medal when they cross the finish line. In addition, there will be a BBQ provided for all participants.
As there are some less accessible sections, we cannot allow children under two or pushchairs on the route.
Is the route accessible for wheelchair users?
Unfortunately, no, the walk is not accessible for wheelchair users.
Again, the walk is not suitable for dogs.
If I can't take part in the event, is there another way that I can help instead?
We are always looking for volunteers to help make this fundraising event a success. We will need lots of people on the day to come and help with a variety of roles. For more information, please contact us!
Do you have some fundraising tips?
Shortly after registration you will be receiving your registration pack which will contain a list of fun fundraising ideas. Some members of the Killaloe pink ribbon Committee have already started raising money. One of the members had a "Bubbles and Bites" night where she invited over friends and asked them to contribute €20 for an evening of wine, finger food and fun. She raised a fabulous amount of money for Action Breast Cancer - check out the photos in our gallery. Other members of the Committee volunteered for a bucket collection on Killaloe Bridge and rasied over €3000! You will be amazed at the support that is out there for this worthwhile cause.
TOP TIPS FOR FUNDRAISING
Start as soon as possible. There’s no point in shoving the sponsorship card in a drawer, forgetting about it until a few days before the Walk – then getting in to a last-minute panic! Start fundraising as soon as you get your card and give yourself enough time to get sponsorship.
Encourage others to help you. Tell your family, friends, work colleagues and people you know through sports and leisure clubs about the Walk – and ask them to help you fundraise.
Carry your sponsorship card with you as much as possible. You never know whom you might bump in to!
Create your own online sponsorship page on a website such as My Charity (www.mycharity.ie/charity/irishcancer/) and then people can sponsor you online.
Tell people about the work of Action Breast Cancer. It helps if you can explain to people that every cent you raise through sponsorship will go towards supporting the work of Action Breast Cancer. Their services include a phone help-line, booklets and fact sheets, patient grants, breast awareness education and the Reach to Recovery and counselling programmes. Read more at www.cancer.ie/action/
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Cook lunch/dinner for 10 friends or family members and charge them €10 each. Alternatively, throw a barbecue some summer’s evening.
If you’ve a birthday coming up, then perhaps ask people to sponsor you in lieu of a gift?
Have a coffee & buns morning (or a wine and cheese evening) for 20 friends and charge them €5 each.
Offer practical favours in return for sponsorship – walking a neighbour’s dog, watering plants for someone who’s on holidays etc.
Ask people to sponsor you in return for you doing something completely out of character – be it stepping up to sing karaoke in the local pub one night, giving up chocolate for a week or wearing an outrageous outfit to work/the supermarket for one day!
COMMUNITY
Do a clear out of your attic and hold a car boot sale – it’s a good way of passing on old books and knick-knacks and raising a few bob in the process. Ask people if they’re willing to donate unwanted objects for the sale.
Organise a quiz night in your local pub or community hall.
Host or organise a bake sale.
Find out if you can do a street collection in a popular local spot.
Ask your supermarket if you can organise a bag-packing afternoon.
WORK
If you have a company newsletter, then ask permission to write a short article to help invite sponsors.
Ask your boss if they are willing to lead the way and make a company donation.
Will your company allow you to have a dress-down or no uniform day in return for people offering to sponsor you?
Offer to run errands in work – be it doing the coffee run or volunteering to collect sandwiches at lunch-time.
Organise a fun work night out (race night, bowling) and ask people to make a donation in return.
Lastly, always remember to ask people nicely, explain the reasons why you’re looking for sponsorship and thank people for taking the time to listen.
Are there prizes for the best fundraisers?
To make it more interesting, we have decided to award prizes for the biggest individual and the biggest team fundraisers. So get cracking! And if you have any photos of your fundraising efforts, why not e-mail us the photos and we would love to put them up on the website. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).