Foróige Releases

The countdown to Foróige's attempt to break a world record for the largest number of people to 'Rock the Boat' has begun! The record attempt is taking place as part of 'The Tall Ships Races 2012 - Dublin'.

TV3's Xposé girls and lads from the Irish Navy launched the attempt this morning by holding up a giant globe to signify the world record element of this important fundraiser for Ireland's largest youth organisation, Foróige.

Speaking on behalf the girls, Xposé's Glenda Gilson encouraged as many people as possible to take part:

"We are so happy to be part of this because it is fun and it will also help to raise money for a worthwhile cause. It will only be a success if lots of people join in. 

"Foróige is doing great work with young people across the country and we're happy to do anything that will help to keep this good work on track".

'Rock the Boat' is often seen at weddings and involves a group of people sitting in a line on the floor, waving their hands in the air in time with the song's lyrics. The current record for the largest number of people to take part is 1600 and Foróige will attempt to break the record this Sunday (August 26th). The attempt will take place on Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin at 1pm as part of the closing stages of 'The Tall Ships Races 2012 - Dublin'.

Siobhan Cadogan from the Foróige fundraising team said everything is ready for the record breaking attempt. She said, all that is required now are the all important participants:

"Firstly, I'd like to say how delighted we are to be involved in the brilliant Tall Ships Races 2012 - Dublin. To be chosen as the official charity partner for this event is a great privilege and also a really good opportunity for us to raise some important cash.

"The demand for our youth services is growing all the time and the only way we can meet that demand is by having the vital funding.

"The public will be able to buy the sailor caps from Foróige volunteers throughout the four day festival, beginning this Thursday (August 23rd). The caps cost €5 and having one of these specially commissioned Foróige/ Tall Ships souvenirs will automatically qualify people to take part in the record attempt."

Foróige would very much appreciate the media's help to motivate as many people as possible to take part. Every cent raised will go towards providing important youth services across Ireland.

 ENDS 

For further information please contact: 

Jerome Hughes, Foróige Media Officer

086 197 4392

Foróige is the leading and largest youth organisation in Ireland. The charity works with 64,000 young people and 5,500 adult volunteers annually, through a network of more than 600 youth clubs & cafés, 154 targeted projects and national programmes such as Citizenship, Entrepreneurship and Leadership.

Twitter.com/Foroige

Facebook.com/Foroige

YouTube.com/Foroigechannel

Notes to Editor:

The Tall Ships Races 2012 Dublin is organised by Sail Training International in partnership with Dublin Tall Ships Event 2012 Limited and the key lead agencies are Dublin City Council and Dublin Port Company. Festival Sponsors are Bulmers with media partners RTÉ and The Irish Independent and official partners include PwC and Britvic.

Dates for The Tall Ships Races 2012:

St Malo, France – Thurs 5 – Sun 8 July

Lisbon, Portugal – Thurs 19 – Sun 22 July

Cadiz, Spain – Thurs 26 – Sun 29 July

A Coruña, Spain – Fri 10 – Mon 13 August

Dubln, Ireland – Thurs 23 – Sun 26 August

Following the conclusion of The Tall Ships Races 2012 Dublin Event, some of the fleet will compete in the inaugural Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta.  This will be a race from Dublin to Liverpool.

For further information about Sail Training International’s events, regattas and bursary schemes visit www.sailtraininginternational.org or contact Kelly Stroud, PR & Media Manager: kelly@syncropr.com  / +44 (0) 1865 886344 / +44 (0)7988 195 262