Westlife's Shane Filan coming to Kildare on Saturday
Thousands of people are expected to attend
Westlife star Shane Filan will make a special appearance at Relay for Life Kildare this Saturday as the event returns to The Curragh Racecourse in Co Kildare for its annual 24-hour fundraising challenge in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Filan, who serves as Main Ambassador for Relay for Life Ireland, will attend the event from 2pm alongside his wife Gillian Filan. During their visit, the couple will meet cancer survivors, volunteers and Relay teams from across Kildare, participate in the Relay walk and address attendees from the main stage.
The popular singer's appearance is expected to attract large crowds to what has become one of the county's biggest community events.
More than 7,000 people attended last year's Relay for Life Kildare, while over 1,000 took part in the moving Candle of Hope Ceremony.
The event officially begins at 1pm on Saturday with the Opening Ceremony, followed by the Survivors' Lap. The special lap of honour recognises cancer survivors and those living with cancer, celebrating their courage, resilience and hope.
Joining Shane and Gillian Filan will be Karen Langton, a cancer survivor and Relay for Life's Global Hero of Hope, who will be making her first appearance at the Kildare event.
Relay for Life Kildare brings together communities to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer and support those currently facing the disease. The local committee recently celebrated raising more than €1 million for the Irish Cancer Society over the past 13 years.
Organisers are encouraging families, friends and supporters from across Kildare to attend, with entertainment and activities planned throughout the weekend.