Last Saturday the Bit O’ Red collected a cheque from the BEAT IT World Record Fashion Show as organised by EJs Menswear to celebrate their 25th year in business.
The world record for models in a fashion show was broken on the night at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sligo.
A total of 459 models took to the catwalk on the night breaking the previous record of 408 models set in Thailand in 2018.
Remarkably, over €100,000 was raised on the night. Sligo Rovers were one of three groups to benefit. The presentations were made in the Blue Lagoon.
Sligo Cancer Support Centre received €50,000, while the Sligo All Stars picked up €13,000. The Bit O’ Red, who were tasked with producing 200 models, generated €40,000.
Eamonn Cunningham of EJ Menswear and organising committee member told the Sligo Champion: “It was a truly unbelievable night, the community spirit of Sligo really shined through.
“Everyone pulled together to organise this record attempt and raise much needed funds for these worthwhile causes.”
The organisation of such an event took a lot of planning and this mammoth task fell to the organising committee, the staff of EJ Menswear and the many volunteers on the night, many of whom were connected to Rovers, including all of our players who took part.
Their level of professionalism and determination is testament to their achievement.
Eamonn added: “Everyone involved on the night deserves a massive thank you. The EJ’s staff, the lads from the Rovers and All Stars and of course the people of Sligo and beyond that gave so generously over the days and weeks leading up to the event.
“Everyone should give themselves a big pat on the back.”
Sligo Rovers chief executive Colin Feehily said: “It was a night that will go down in the history books of Sligo and that is no exaggeration.
“We are so grateful to all at EJ’s, especially Eamonn, and all of the organising committee. Some of our most dedicated fans were a driving force behind it and I just want to say thank you to them and all of the models who took to the catwalk. The very best of Sligo was on show that night. Everyone in the room left beaming with pride and rightly so.
“We’re thrilled to see Sligo Cancer Support Centre receive such a large sum. The amount generated for Rovers is such a lift to us as well.
“We immediately used it for costs arising from the 2019 season and from a business perspective this gives us a stronger run to the new year and the start of the season.
“As people know, the costs of running Sligo Rovers are rising each year. That is the nature of competing in the top flight in the League of Ireland, especially when not in Europe.
“We are reliant on what we generate as a community. Nights like the fashion show makes our community so special.
“The fashion show has been a huge help to us so from everyone at the club, thank you again to all. We are all excited about 2020 and trying to get the club to a higher level.”