'There’s always a kettle on the boil' - Relay for Life launches new addition

Something is brewing in the hills of Donegal.

Relay for Life Donegal launched its 2026 community fundraising campaign - it’s “Boil The Kettle Appeal”, a new addition this year to the annual Relay For Life Donegal activities.

This simple but powerful initiative invites people everywhere, across Donegal, across Ireland and across the world, to put the kettle on, gather their loved ones, and host a tea morning or tea evening throughout the month of April in support of the Irish Cancer Society.

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Because sometimes the biggest movements begin with something small. A kettle. A conversation. A community coming together.

Inspired by Daniel’s “there’s always a kettle on the boil” line from Vincent Soye’s song Our House is a Home. Boil the kettle. Invite people in. Share a cuppa. Have a conversation. Donate what you can.

Whether it’s in a family kitchen, a workplace staffroom, a school hall, a sports club, a café/pub, a community centre, or even a virtual gathering with loved ones abroad, the idea is to bring people together in support of those affected by cancer. Every cup poured represents support. Every table gathered around represents hope.

Funds raised through the Boil The Kettle Appeal will support life-changing services provided by the Irish Cancer Society, including free cancer support lines (1800 200 700); counselling services; night nursing care; transport to treatment and cancer research and advocacy

Cancer has touched almost every family in Donegal and throughout the country in some way. The Boil The Kettle Appeal creates a gentle and inclusive way for everyone to play a part, even those who wish but may not be able to attend the 24-hour Relay for Life event on May 23 and 24.

Relay for Life Donegal 2026 is proudly supported by beloved Donegal ambassadors Daniel and Majella O'Donnell, who continue to champion community-led fundraising and cancer support initiatives across Ireland.

Their involvement reflects the heart of the campaign, community, kindness and coming together for a cause that affects us all.
While this campaign begins in the hills of Donegal, its ambition reaches far beyond. Relay for Life Donegal is inviting families with loved ones abroad, Irish communities overseas, workplaces and businesses, schools and sports clubs and community organisations to host their own Boil The Kettle gathering during April.

With the power of social media, a kettle boiled in Letterkenny can connect with a kitchen in London, a café in Sydney, or an Irish family home in Boston. What begins in Donegal has the power to travel around the world.

Taking part is simple: Choose a day in April to host your tea morning or tea evening; Register your event with Relay for Life Donegal; Invite friends, family, colleagues or customers; Put the kettle on; Donate what you raise.

Participants are encouraged to share photos of their gathering online using #BoilTheKettle to help spread the campaign worldwide.

You can register on the Relay for Life website and keep up to date at Boil the Kettle Appel on Facebook and Instagram.

“This campaign is about connection,” the committee said. “It’s about community. It’s about doing something small that creates something big. Not everyone can walk the track for 24 hours in May, but everyone can boil a kettle. We would love to see kitchens, workplaces, schools and community halls all over the world joining us this April.”

The event brings teams together to walk through the night in celebration of cancer survivors, remembrance of loved ones, and solidarity in the fight against cancer. But in April … it starts with something simple. The kettle. Brewing in the hills of Donegal … and spreading across the world.