Ballygowan goes gold in fundraising drive to support the fight against cancer

Des Bishop urges consumsers to "B Part Of It!"  Ballygowan has officially unveiled a major new campaign to raise much needed funds to support increased cancer awareness on the island-of-Ireland and to fund vital cancer support services for those who battle against the disease each day.  Working with the Irish Cancer Society, and its campaign partner Marie Curie Cancer Care in Northern Ireland, Ballygowan is asking consumers to join the fight against cancer and support the Ballygowan Gold campaign.   [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2700","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"347","width":"480"}}]] Pictured: Mairéad Farrell and Des Bishop
 At the heart of its pledge to support the charity, Ballygowan has unveiled plans to turn Ballygowan labels gold.  From now until September, Ballygowan Gold bottles will bear a specially designed label promoting the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Helpline – a free nationwide information service manned by oncology nurses, providing information and support on cancer to the general public, cancer patients, their families and healthcare professionals. Furthermore, a donation made to the charity for every Gold bottle sold with all monies going to fund essential nursing services, supporting cancer patients and their families at home.    The Ballygowan and Irish Cancer Society partnership will be supported by a large scale marketing campaign fronted by comedian Des Bishop.  The initiative has also garnered the support of broadcaster Mairead Farrell, whose life has also been touched by cancer in the past.   Speaking at the launch of the Ballygowan gold campaign, Des Bishop, said; “Behind the cancer statistics, real lives and real people across Ireland are impacted by this deadly disease.  Both my family and I know only too well how tough this fight can be.  For this very this reason, the campaign from the Irish Cancer Society and Ballygowan really struck a chord with me.  It allows everyone to play their part in the fight against cancer, both through raising awareness and most importantly, raising money to fund vital nursing services.” John McCormack, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said: “Striving towards a future without cancer is at the very heart of everything we do at the Irish Cancer Society.  Partnering with Ballygowan enables us to reach a mass audience with a cancer awareness message.  We are truly heartened that in addition to raising funds to support the cancer cause, millions of Ballygowan bottles will be bear the Irish Cancer Society name and also the National Cancer Helpline freefone number so that anyone out there with a query or concern about cancer can get the support they need. Together, with Ballygowan, we won’t stop until cancer does.”  Leonie Doyle, Director of Brand Marketing at Britvic Ireland said; “The Irish Cancer Society is a beacon of hope for those suffering from cancer and their families.  This campaign empowers Irish consumers to provide much needed support to a cause that touches one in three of our lives.  Ballygowan is a proud Irish product with a strong heritage and we hope that consumers trust in our brand will translate into much needed support for the fight against cancer in Ireland.  It is a privilege to work with the Irish Cancer Society to support them in achieving their vision of a future without cancer.”    Ballygowan Gold is available in local convenience stores and supermarkets nationwide in 500ml, 750ml, 1L and 2L bottles until September 2014.  Join us in the fight against cancer and ‘B part of it’ by picking up a limited-edition Ballygowan Gold bottle between now and September or get involved on facebook: www.facebook.com/BallygowanIrishWater.