The sun came out for the sixth annual RCSI/VIVAS Health Race Day for breast cancer held in Leopardstown on Sunday, 4 November.

The purpose of the day was to raise much needed funds for breast cancer research in Ireland in an enjoyable atmosphere and a total of €525,650 was raised for this very worthwhile cause.

Over 800 guests were welcomed to the pink themed event by compere Miriam O'Callaghan and entertained by the sound of the magnificent Camembert Quartet.

A lively and at times competitive auction took place after the last race, where guests bid on items such as return flights and accommodation for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing; an abstract painting by Kevin Sharkey; a shopping extravaganza to Chicago; €1,000 shopping voucher plus special edition fashion sketch from Paul Costelloe including two tickets to London fashion week 2008; a specially commissioned diamond necklace by Weir & Son valued at €8,000.

One lucky guest, Teresa Carbonell, won the day’s superb raffle prize of a holiday of a lifetime to the Banyann Tree Resort for seven days in the Maldives followed by three days at the Ritz Carlton in Dubai all courtesy of Johnson & Johnson.

Among the guests on the day were former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and his wife Kathleen, American Ambassador, Thomas C Foley, Minister for Health, Mary Harney, DCC's Jim and Mary Flavin; Ann Smurfit, and AIB's Eugene Sheehy and his wife Cora.

Michael Horgan, CEO, RCSI, said: "I am delighted to host such a worthwhile event and to raise such a phenomenal amount for our breast cancer research programme."

Oliver Tattan, CEO, VIVAS Health, said: “VIVAS Health are proud to sponsor the RCSI Race Day, and would like to congratulate the organisers on successfully raising over half a million euro. Funding extensive research is a crucial element in the battle against breast cancer.”

Special thanks must to go to the events principal sponsors, VIVAS Health and Vincent & Beatty Solicitors along with all those who have sponsored individual races and indeed the superb efforts of the events organising committee who have outshone themselves this year. Thanks to Tanya Airey, Frederika Barrett, Pat Desmond, Camilla Fearon, Ann Heffernan Jim Kelly, Carol Mallon, Ann Smurfit and Kathleen Reynolds.

This support and the collective generosity of so many have ensured that all funds raised from the event, through the sale of tables, the raffle and indeed the auction will go directly towards breast cancer research in Ireland.