#rnli – World and European Medallist and three time Olympian Derval O'Rourke has joined forces with RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew and their children, to help launch the RNLI Reindeer Run, which raises funds for the charity that saves lives at sea. The popular event encourages people to have fun while supporting the RNLI in their work and this year it will be held on Sunday 23 November at Fota House and Gardens, Carrigtwohill in Cork with a 1km Santa Saunter and 5km and 10km routes for runners and walkers.

Speaking at the launch Derval O'Rourke said, 'I can't think of a better way to support the RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews than taking part in the Fota RNLI Reindeer Run. Coming from Cork I know first-hand the incredible work the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews do and I'd urge people to show their support, sign up, get in some exercise and raise funds for this wonderful charity. So many people are taking up exercise and these events are a great way to get healthy.'

Derval was joined by volunteer lifeboat crewmembers Eolan Walsh from Ballycotton RNLI, Vincent Fleming and Kieran Coniry from Crosshaven RNLI, Terence Morrissey from Helvick Head RNLI and Erik Brooks and Seamus Mason from Youghal RNLI. Eolan and Vincent's young daughters Saoirse (7yrs) and Sarah (4yrs) also joined their dads for the launch and gave their backing to the Santa Saunter, which is aimed at younger participants.

Crosshaven RNLI volunteer lifeboat crewmember Vincent Fleming said, 'The RNLI has been very busy this year and the demand for our services sees us helping many people off our coast and on inland waters. Events like the Reindeer Run are not only great for people to get involved in and have fun but they are also a way for us to raise awareness of the work of the lifeboat crews.'

Helvick Head RNLI volunteer crewmember Terence Morrissey added, 'This summer the lifeboat crew in Helvick Head named our new Atlantic 85 lifeboat and that lifeboat will go on to save many lives. Funds raised by the charity through the RNLI Reindeer run go to train and equip the volunteer lifeboat crews in Ireland. Volunteer lifeboat crew are trained and ready to launch at any hour of any day, all year round, to respond to calls for help at sea and I am proud to be one of them.'

The Fota House event is followed a week later by the Dublin RNLI Reindeer Run in Marlay Park on Sunday 30 November. Author Teena Gates will be starting the Dublin fun runs.

This September the RNLI opened its 45th lifeboat station in Union Hall and last year RNLI lifeboats in Ireland launched 1,087 times and brought 1,278 people to safety, 157 of those were young people under the age of 18.

Registration is now open at rnli.org/reindeer or email [email protected] and costs €10 for the Santa Saunter and €20 for the 5km and 10km. All participants in the 5km and 10km events receive a limited edition RNLI Reindeer Run t-shirt, a pair of antlers and a medal on finishing.

#Olympics - It was a match made in Beijing - and now four years on, Crosshaven sailor Peter 0'Leary and sprint hurdles champion Derval O'Rourke have announced their engagement, as Independent Woman reports.

The Olympian couple are keeping mum for the time being, but it's expected that they will wed in their home county of Cork.

O'Leary and O'Rourke apparently struck up a companionship at the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008, when both were coming down after disappointing Olympic campaigns in their respective sports.

That first conversation quickly blossomed into a relationship that's clearly done no harm to their improving performances on the track and on the water - O'Rourke reaching the 100m hurdles semi-finals, and O'Leary finishing a respectable 10th in the Star with partner David Burrows.

It's also surely a welcome turn of events for O'Leary especially after a stressful few months following London 2012 that culminated in a warning from the International Olympic Committee over his betting on a competitor at the 2008 Games.

IOC chiefs announced last week that they had "no proof of any match fixing" and agreed that O'Leary was at the time not fully aware of the rules against competitors betting on Olympic events.

The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) has hit out at what it called a "malicious campaign" against the Star helmsman, noting that the facts present a very different picture from the story that circulated in the media on the eve of his opening race at Weymouth this summer.

Leading Irish sports stars are at the National Dairy Council stand each day of this year's National Ploughing Championships. They will share their top tips for training and talk about the role diet can play to help people of all ages, and all levels, interested in sport or keeping fit. There just might be something in it for sailors interested in keeping fit too.

The NDC interest is fuelled by the growing body of scientific research showing that milk can play a very positive role in sports nutrition. Specific areas of focus include hydration and muscle recovery, and the beneficial role of milk in these areas has been attributed to the natural nutritional composition of milk.

Tuesday 20th September

Champion athlete Derval O'Rourke will meet members of the public at the NDC stand from 11.00am – 3.00pm.

Twice during the day, at 11.30am and 1.45pm, there is the chance to hear Derval in a live discussion on the NDC stand with Dr. Catherine Logan, Nutrition Manager at the NDC, about Derval's preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games and top tips. The discussions will finish with a few fun basketball hoops in aid of Focus Ireland.

Wednesday 21st September

Hurling greats Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning team) & Pádraic Maher (Tipperary & All-Ireland Finalist) will meet members of the public at the NDC stand from 11.00am-3.00pm.

Twice during the day, at 11.30am and 1.45pm, there is the chance to hear Michael Fennelly & Pádraic Maher in a live discussion on the NDC stand with Dr. Catherine Logan, Nutrition Manager at the NDC, about their top training and diet tips. The discussions will finish with a few fun basketball hoops in aid of Focus Ireland.

Thursday 22nd September

11.00am-3.00pm is your chance to meet Kieran Donaghy Kerry Gaelic footballer & 2011 All- Ireland finalist at the NDC stand. At 6'5" tall, the multi medal winner is also known for his basketball skills & played with Tralee Tigers.

Kieran Donaghy will have a live discussion with Dr. Catherine Logan at NDC, about his top training tips and tips on sports nutrition at 11.30am; finishing with fun basketball hoops for Focus Ireland.

All Three Days

Throughout the Ploughing festival, a selection of basketball giants will be at the NDC stand every day to help visitors try their shot at Hoops and talk about their experiences, with daily spot prizes.

The NDC interactive 'Photo Booth' returns by popular demand, where you can enter a free competition for the best "Cheesy Smile" which a chance to win a Digital camera each day of the Ploughing. The NDC Butter Queen will give you a taste of the delicious flavour of cooking with Irish butter, with her short-bread biscuits.