Down Syndrome Ireland goes to the dogs with Irish Greyhound Board Family Benefit Night

27 February 2011

Thousands of people flocked to Irish Greyhound Stadia across the country this weekend as The Irish Greyhound Board hosted its First Ever Multi-Venue Family Benefit Night on Saturday 26th February in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland.  Taking place nationally across ten greyhound stadia the highly-anticipated event was the very first of its kind in Ireland.

The theme of the event was a good value, family-friendly event to raise much needed funds for Down Syndrome Ireland nationally and locally. Tickets (printing sponsored by Snap Printing, Mullingar) included access to the races on the night plus a race programme.  All venues provided entertainment, goodie bags for children (kindly sponsored by, Score and Walkers Crisps), raffles and auctions as well as all the thrill of the races.

Greyhound stadia across the country enjoyed an extremely successful and enjoyable night. Dundalk reported extremely high ticket sales in advance of the night and Galway Greyhound Stadium was filled to capacity on the night of the event by 7.30pm.  All venues reported bumper attendances and Newbridge Greyhound Stadium enjoyed its greatest attendance in two years where a greyhound pup was also auctioned for a grand total of €1,100.  Betdaq made a special presentation in Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium to DSI of over €700.00 that they had raised within the company to support the event.

In Tralee, reigning Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu made an appearance, surprising race-goers, some of whom had never attended a greyhound race before.

The Limerick Greyhound Stadium, which opened in October of 2010, reported an excellent turn-out at the stiles and the night at the state-of-the-art venue was a resounding success.

Orla Strumble, Head of Marketing for the Irish Greyhound Board said, "We couldn't have asked for better support from everybody who was involved in this endeavour from conception to completion. The amount of work done at a grassroots level really contributed to the nationwide success. Every stadium pulled out all the stops to deliver an amazing night of racing, coupled with a really great drive to sell tickets in aid of one of Ireland's best-loved charities. Down Syndrome Ireland is such a fantastic cause that provides untold support to families of people with Down Syndrome and we are honoured to be able to help in any way we can."

Orla went on to say, "2011 signifies Down Syndrome Ireland's 40th Anniversary so it is fitting that we give something back to an organisation which has given so much to so many families in Ireland. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our media partners The Irish Examiner, who have been so supportive of us and DSI. We really couldn't have asked any more of them."

Christina Riordan of Down Syndrome Ireland said, "We are so delighted with the turn-out and the unprecedented support for this incredible event. We're very happy to be part of such a high profile night and we're extremely grateful to the Irish Greyhound Board and Orla Strumble for the tremendous amount of effort they have put into this event. I know it's becoming more difficult for people to support charities and I just want to express my deep appreciation for all of the work that has been put in by everybody."

Select Hotels of Ireland kindly provided each stadium with a gate prize of a weekend break for two in a Select Hotel of the winner's choice, of which there are 25 options.

All of the funds raised from the Benefit Night will go directly to Down Syndrome Ireland and will be distributed between the national organisation and local branches.