Family, friends and colleagues of the late Teenagh Cunningham are inviting the public to take part in the ‘Run for Sunshine’ on this Sunday, September 25 at 12 noon in aid of The Oesophageal Cancer Fund and Baboró International Arts Festival for Children.
This fundraising event, organised by Teenagh’s sister Niamh Coogan, is a new addition to the programme for this year’s Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival. Teenagh Cunningham worked as General Manager with Baboró up until her passing at the young age of 56. Teenagh died from oesophageal cancer on August 21st, 2015, exactly four weeks after her diagnosis.
Teenagh’s sister Niamh Coogan said:“Teenagh was a beautiful, funny, warm-hearted woman who would do anything she could to help others. She loved her family with all her heart; her parents, four siblings and nine nieces and nephews. The day we lost her was the worst day of our lives, but we hope that this run/walk/crawl in her memory will celebrate her life and raise funds for two very worthy causes; The Oesophageal Cancer Fund and Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, which was the great love in Teenagh’s life.
An early diagnosis of oesophageal cancer is crucial. Unfortunately Teenagh was diagnosed too late, but hopefully by raising awareness we can help others. On behalf of myself Niamh, and all my family, I thank you in advance for your donations and support. Hope to see you Sunday,” she said.
Originally from Dublin and subsequently Kilkenny, during her ten years in Galway Teenagh fully embraced her adopted hometown. Not only was she fully embedded in the Galway arts world, but also in the wider community.
Those who were lucky to know Teenagh, were frequently met with her trademark greeting, ‘Howya Sunshine!’, which is where the inspiration came for the event name ‘Run for Sunshine’.Teenagh dedicated her working life to the arts, and especially to younger people and the arts, a journey that made a big difference to so many. She loved what Baboró offered for children and the difference the arts made to their lives, and also how this could impact the way adults thought and looked at the world. She herself was an avid reader and loved the worlds of Harry Potter and Phillip Pullman.
Wherever she went, Teenagh encouraged young people to read, and develop a love for literature. This year Baboró has dedicated the festival’s literature programme to Teenagh.The Oesophageal Cancer Fund (OCF ) is a registered charity established in 2001 to raise awareness of the symptoms of Oesophageal Cancer, and to provide funding for research. Proceeds from this fundraising event will be divided equally between the OCF and Baboró. The proceeds raised for Baboró will go towards the Baboró Bus Subsidy Scheme, which enables schools to come to Baboró events during its week-long festival in October.Run for Sunshine 5k Walk/Run Route | 12noon Sunday September 25th
The meeting point for the 5k walk/run at 12noon on Sunday September 25 is at Nimmos pier, beside the Galway Oyster Festival marquee. It will then continue onto Fr Griffin Road and onto the lower prom, on past Seapoint and will turn just beyond there at a designated turning point. The inbound circuit will follow the same route.
You can view the route online here http://www.mapmywalk.com/routes/view/1254274390To Join the EventThe entry fee to join is €20 and even if you can’t attend on the day, donations are gratefully received. You can donate online here on IDonate – just search for ‘Run for Sunshine’ http://www.idonate.ie/mobile/fundraiser/11360597_run-for-sunshine.html
The entry fee also gives you FREE entry to The Galway International Oyster and Seafood Festival that same day. Teenagh is dearly missed by her family, her many friends and her colleagues in the arts community, both here in Galway, around the country and internationally. For more information please check out the Facebook event ‘Run for Sunshine’ or see http://galwayoysterfestival.com
