Walk the world for cancer with centra

This October, Centra retailers are urging the people of Meath to put on their runners and take to the streets for Centra’s ‘Walk the World initiative. Ireland’s leading convenience retailer aims to get thousands of people to collectively walk 40,075km, the circumference of the earth, on Saturday 17th October and 15 Centra stores in Meath will be hosting walks to help raise much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme.

To take part in your local walk sign up in store or register online at www.centra.ie.

Reaching the target is easier than it sounds! In order to ‘Walk the World’ Centra needs only 8,000 people to walk 5km each. The majority of the walks will take place on the same day and Centra will have a live tracker available online to follow the progress as communities come together to reach the target and walk the world!

TV presenter and fitness enthusiast Kathryn Thomas, who launched Centra’s ‘Walk the World campaign, will be taking part in a walk on 17th October. Centra is calling on communities to register with their local Centra store and be in with a chance to have Kathryn participate in their walk. People can sign up in store or at www.centra.ie and Centra will announce the lucky community on 13th October.

Speaking at the launch, Kathryn Thomas said: “I am really looking forward to 17th October! Not only is it a great opportunity to raise awareness and funds for a very worthy cause but it is also a chance for cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland to get their runners on and get active. It is a fantastic way to get involved in your local community and it is so simple! Make sure to join me and thousands of others on 17th October as we ‘Walk the World’ with Centra to promote walking and beat breast cancer.”

Nearly every county in the country will be taking part as men, women and children come together to raise money for what is now the most common cancer in women in Ireland, affecting over 2,800 women and men every year. All funds raised by Centra during Breast Cancer Awareness month will go directly to fund essential services needed including information, advice and support services for women throughout the country who have been affected by breast cancer.

Centra’s partnership with the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme is now in its 6th year, having raised over €2.1 million to date. This year along with the ‘Walk the World’ initiative, Centra stores are selling a new limited edition cotton bag that is the ultimate must-have accessory for your grocery shop. Feline fans and dog lovers can get their hands on this unique bag from participating Centra stores from today for just €3.

Meanwhile the popular pink reflective vest has also returned and will be sold in all stores participating in ‘Walk the World’ and will retail at €5. All net proceeds from both the bag and the vest will go to the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme.

Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of Centra, added: “Breast cancer has affected so many people around Ireland and we are delighted to be able to work with the Irish Cancer Society once again to help them provide their vital support services. Last year we had over 7,500 participants take part in their local walks and this year we hope to beat that and achieve the goal of over 10,000 people so we can say we “Walked the World”. Our Centra customers play a fundamental role in bringing together their communities each year which gets people out and about walking while supporting Breast Cancer Awareness month. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support to all our fundraising efforts which no doubt will continue this year. Our work with Breast Cancer Awareness month continues to drive our core Centra Live Well message encouraging customers to be active and lead a healthy life.”

To register for Centra’s ‘Walk the World’ campaign and take part in your local walk to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme check out www.centra.ie. People can also donate money online at www.centrawalktheworld.ie, in-store or by texting CENTRA TO 50300 and €4 will be donated.

Centra will also have a number of pink products on sale throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month including eggs, Barry’s Tea and flowers with all net proceeds also going to Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer programme.

John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society commented, “We are so pleased that once again we have support from all the Centra stores across Ireland during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are so excited that they have expanded their community walks into Walk the World – and we hope that thousands of people will walk all over breast cancer this October. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Ireland and we would not be able to continue to provide our services without the considerable support that Centra, their stores and their customers offer us.”

The Irish Cancer Society is Ireland’s leading provider of breast cancer information and support, reaching thousands of women who are concerned about breast cancer and breast health every year. The Society strives to ensure that everyone affected by breast cancer has the support they need, when they need it. Anyone concerned about breast cancer or breast health should call the Irish Cancer Society’s Cancer Nurseline on Freephone 1800 200 700.

The Centra Pink Walks will take place at the following stores in Meath:

Costello’s Centra Kilmessan

Boshell’s Centra Bettystown Anchorage

Healy’s Centra Mornington

Dolan’s Centra Nobber

Bird’s Centra Athboy

Dunne’s Centra Stamullen

Cleary’s Centra Garden City Ashbourne

Hannon’s Centra Commons Rd

Boshell’s Centra Bettystown

McGuirk’s Centra Blackcastle

Bird’s Centra Ballivor

Scally/O’Donovan’s Centra Summerhill

Farrelly’s Centra Abbey Cresent

Sweeney’s Centra Ratoath

Brogan’s Centra Carlanstown