The Rush Daff Day committee are honestly overwhelmed by the incredible support this year. The whole community showed up and turned Rush into a sea of yellow
We kicked off at a very questionable 6am on Friday and somehow kept going until 3pm Sunday… powered mostly by tea, community spirit, with our motto keeping us going “we wont give up till cancer does”
It all started back in December with the legendary Christmas Swim, festive busking from the Macks (who sacrificed Christmas Eve for the cause), a swimming twalker, sea swimmers braving icy waters, and a whole lot of generosity. Thanks to Rush Sailing Club for hosting this event and supporting Irish Cancer Society again in 2025/26
Our newly re-energised committee met five times (yes, actual meetings), plotted, planned, and delivered a jam-packed weekend. A huge thanks to Debbie and team at Rush Community Council who support us year on year with the use of their premises and a willing staff who help to set the day up and continue to work with us before and after the event. This year we had a Sunday Twalk with Declan, Aaron and Antoinette and again a huge thanks to Laura Emma and Joe in the Strand for hosting the event on the Sunday – what a perfect way to finish off the weekend.
Thanks to all the business who made donations, both cash and flowers – your support year on year is amazing.
Now… onto the stats you didn’t know you needed; 114 volunteers (basically superheroes in disguise); 810 fifty-cent pieces (we checked… twice ); 1,600 daffodils (no bees were harmed); 65 DAFFS in the Garden of Hope ; 79 Dolmio jars reborn as fancy vases; 100s of cups of tea & coffee (keeping Ireland going strong); 76 twalkers; 58 runners; 48 swimmers (built different );1 traditional band – the Macks; 1 hidden kitchen legend – Maeve.
From Friday to Monday, we laughed, cried, and turned the town gloriously yellow Friendships were rekindled, support was shared, and we stood together for those fighting cancer and those we’ve lost.
And together… we raised over €30,000.00 this is online donations and cash at Christmas and on Daff Day events (drumroll pending)
Finally, a very special moment…
This year’s Irish Cancer Society Community Champions are:
Maise O’Dowd & Declan Costelloe
Two absolute legends – one a fresh force of inspiration, the other a long-time hero (years undisclosed for safety reasons). From the bottom of our hearts – thank you, Rush. You smashed it
