A dress for another day?

THERE will be plenty of runaway brides in Ballybrit for the races this year, with many women urged to dig out their wedding dress and put it on one more time for charity. It's a sight that many can't wait to see - brides on the run, Galway-style. The bridal party fundraiser is in aid of Special Olympics Connaught and will involve the volunteers wearing their wedding dresses while running, walking or parading for a furlong (200 metres) on the course just before the first race on the opening day of the festival, Monday, July 30. Organisers say singletons who haven't yet had the chance to wear a wedding dress of their own can seize the opportunity to borrow one and be a bride for the day without any of the â€ËœI do' hassle. The ladies will get admission to the race meeting, enjoy a champagne reception, be treated to a four-course meal, be presented with a race card and have access to a racing tipster, all while enjoying the racing action from a reserved table in the Killanin Stand. Ladies can register online at www.specialolympics.ie/galwayraces and participants are asked to pay €25 upon registration and raise at least €125 sponsorship for Special Olympics. One of the ladies involved in launching the event, Edel Burke, says it was a great opportunity to put on her wedding dress again. 'It was brilliant to get the chance to put my wedding dress on again, it's not often an event pops up that gives you the chance! We had so much fun, I can only imagine what it will be like on the day with lots of brides. It will be hilarious! I hope loads of ladies take part in the event - it promises to be a fantastic day and it really is for a great cause,' she remarked.