Airsoft event raises over €11k for Make Your Mark on Cancer
By Geraldine Fitzgerald
Over 212 camouflage-clad, rugged-looking players with hearts of gold get together at Absolute Airsoft Cork to raise an amazing €11,410 for Make Your Mark on Cancer last month.
The 50 acre woodland site near Crookstown, hosting the charity airsoft game for the fifth year in a row, raised the funds for the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre and Psycho-Oncology services.
The fundraiser was organised by Absolute Airsoft Cork on 17 October in collaboration with Eoin and Damien Prendergast, founders of the annual Make Your Mark on Cancer Charity walk in memory of their brother Mark Prendergast, who lost his battle with testicular cancer in June 2012.
Since 2013, the Make Your Mark on Cancer charity walk has raised over €350,000 for the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre. The 22km walk from The Viaduct on the N71 to the Town Hall in Bandon, went virtual in 2020 and was postponed for 2021 but promises to be back in 2022.
A former patient of the Mercy University Hospital and family friend of the Prendergast family, Martin Fehilly has been a huge supporter of Make Your Mark on Cancer, hosting the charity airsoft game on an annual basis. “As well as supporting the Prendergast family, I also have my own connection with The Mercy, having been successfully treated for testicular cancer 20 years ago which is also why I’m so keen to support this amazing cause,” he said.
Damien Prendergast, Make Your Mark on Cancer Chairman said: “We would like to thank Martin and his team at Absolute Airsoft Cork for their continued support which has been fantastic.
“Every cent raised makes a difference towards the Mercy Foundation’s development of a dedicated Cancer CARE Centre. We were very grateful for the support that both our brother Mark and our family received during what was a very difficult time. A dedicated cancer CARE centre will be a huge asset in helping so many more patients and their families during the difficult journey of a cancer diagnosis.”
For further information on the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre visit mercyhospitalfoundation.ie.