Health Board: Upcoming conferences, talks, campaigns and events

Louise O’Brien, corporate social responsibility manager, Boots Ireland; Averil Power, chief executive, Irish Cancer Society; Mary Attridge-Jones, night nurse; and Teresa Mannion, Night Walks for Night Nurses ambassador. Photograph: Conor McCabe
Louise O’Brien, corporate social responsibility manager, Boots Ireland; Averil Power, chief executive, Irish Cancer Society; Mary Attridge-Jones, night nurse; and Teresa Mannion, Night Walks for Night Nurses ambassador. Photograph: Conor McCabe

1) The annual Boots Night Walks for Night Nurses take place in Dublin and Cork this month. The walks aim to raise much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society's Night Nurse Service, which provides free care to cancer patients in their own home, as well as giving respite for the family caring for them. The walks will take place in Dublin's Phoenix Park on Friday, August 16th at 7.30pm and in Blackrock Castle, Cork on Friday, August 23rd at 7pm. Tickets for the 5km walk cost €15 (under-16s go free). Each adult ticket comes with a free t-shirt. To book, see eventbrite.ie

2) The 18th annual Martin Early Tour of Kildare takes place on Sunday, August 11th in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation. The tour has three cycle routes to accommodate all levels of experience from experts to families looking for a fun, active day out. Tickets are from €25 and you can sign up at mariekeating.ie/events

3) On Tuesday, August 13, Hurling for Cancer Research will take place at 6pm in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare. The event has been organised for the eighth year in a row by horseracing's Jim Bolger and Davy Russell. To date, the event has raised more than €700,000 for the Irish Cancer Society's cancer Research programme. Admission is €10, with a family ticket just €15.

4) The Pieta 100 cycling challenge, now in its fifth year, will take place on Sunday, August 18th and Sunday, September 29th. On August 18th, the event - which offers participants a choice of a 50km or a 100km route - starts and finishes in Leixlip Amenities, Co Kildare. On September 29th, the Pieta 100 Cycle Limerick is from Mungret St Paul's GAA Club, while, the same day, the Cork edition is from Scoil Mhairtin, Kilworth. The cycle raises funds for Pieta's free suicide prevention and intervention services. For more information and to register to take part, see pieta100cycle.com

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5) The Irish Cancer Society is urging people to get moving as part of its virtual Marathon in a Month campaign, which challenges volunteers to clock up 42 kilometres in 31 days. Participants can complete the distance of a marathon in any way they chose; walking, running, hiking, swimming or cycling. By registering, they're given an everydayhero online fundraising page, this links to their fitness app, keeping track of their progress as they raise money to help the 40,000 people in Ireland who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Last year, €90,000 was raised with this campaign. For more information, or to register, visit cancer.ie/marathoninamonth

6) The National Diabetes Cup takes place at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown on Saturday, August 24th from 10am-4pm. For boys and girls aged 4-15, Diabetes Ireland says it "provides a great way for your son or daughter to meet and play with other young people living with Type 1 Diabetes". Entry is €25 (which includes lunch and a t-shirt), see diabetes.ie for more details, or call (01)

7) Aware, which provides support, education and information services for those impacted by depression and bipolar disorder, is urgently seeking new volunteers across three services - Support Line, Support Mail and Life Skills Online. No prior qualifications or experience is required, as comprehensive training, as well as ongoing support and education, is provided by the organisation. For more information, visit aware.ie/volunteering or call (01) 661 7211.

8) The 2019 IHF Camino Challenge takes place from September 15th-21st in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF). This year, participants will be embarking on The Finisterre Camino (118km) - five days of walking through the beautiful coastline and unspoilt landscape of Galicia in Spain. The Finisterre Camino begins in the city of Santiago de Compostela and the goal of the journey is the legendary Cape Finisterre, once believed to be the world's most westerly point. For more information about taking on the IHF Camino, contact Louise at louise.mccarron@hospicefoundation.ie or 01 679 3188.

9) The inaugural St Kevin's Way 25km Challenge will take place on Sunday, October 6th, with the aim of raising €50,000 for children's charity Barretstown. The walking route is through the scenic hills and varied landscapes of Wicklow, with participants welcome to enter individually or as part of a team of four. Registration on the day will be held in The Brockagh Centre, Laragh. The registration fee is €50 for an individual or €175 for a team of four. All those participating are asked to raise an additional €100 for donation to Barretstown. For more details, visit barretstown.org/events/st-kevins-way-challenge or contact Donna at (045) 864 115 or fundraising@barretstown.org.

10) The Pigsback 5k/10k Run in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation takes place on October 13th at the Dublin's Phoenix Park. Whether you are an experienced runner or simply want to get out for a walk, it's time to lace up and join the fight against breast cancer. Tickets (€25) can be found at mariekeating.ie/events

For inclusion in these listings, email health@irishtimes.com with Health Board in the subject line

Damian Cullen

Damian Cullen

Damian Cullen is Health & Family Editor of The Irish Times