INTERNATIONAL. The great globe-trotting team from Barry Geoghegan’s acclaimed Irish travel retail drinks specialist Duty Free Global are taking their running shoes on their work travels in February to collectively complete the marathon distance in aid of Irish Cancer Society as part of #KickCancerThon*.
#KickCancerThon, a global but localised fundraiser and visibility campaign for cancer research is the brainchild of Sinead Moodie, The Moodie Davitt Report’s Chief Operating Officer. Sinead is the daughter of company Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.
As revealed in her recent Blog, Sinead has been diagnosed with NUT Carcinoma Lung Cancer, a rare, ultra-aggressive variant of the disease. She has been undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London since July 2025.
And so #KickCancerThon was born. The Moodie Davitt Report is asking the travel retail and aviation communities to join us in raising funds and visibility for cancer research or cancer treatment causes around the world. See ‘How to participate’ in the panel below. It is a classic ‘Think Global, Act Local’ initiative.
“Our team is proud to support this fantastic initiative from The Moodie Davitt Report for our great friends Martin and Dermot and, most importantly, in support of the incredibly brave and positive Sinead, who is facing a very challenging time. We send her our love, strength, and unwavering support,” Barry Geoghegan said.
Company Chief Operating Officer Nathalie Roelands added, “At Duty Free Global we believe in showing up for our people and our community.
“Across our travels, we’ll be completing a marathon and sharing moments from around the world. We invite our network to support in whatever way feels right — by joining in, sharing, or donating. Every gesture helps raise awareness and supports global cancer charities.
Barry commented, “Feel free to join us and share a photo from wherever you are in the world. We know many donation requests are made throughout the year, but this is a truly global cause aimed at raising awareness for cancer charities.”
Irish Cancer Society is the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland and is committed to improving the lives of cancer patients the country through that research. The public donations that make its work possible allow the funding of more than 100 research professionals in top Irish institutions.
Irish Cancer Society describes itself as “a community of patients, survivors, volunteers, supporters, health and social care professionals and researchers.
”Together we are transforming the experiences and outcomes of people affected by cancer,” it says.
We will bring you more news on the latest #KickCancerThon initiatives in coming days. If you would like to join this global + local campaign, please email Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com headed #KickCancerThon.
*How to participate in #KickCancerThon
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FROM OUR EARLIER COVERAGE
Travel retail and aviation sector reaction to The Moodie Davitt Report’s forthcoming #KickCancerThon continues to attract amazing support from both within and outside the travel retail and aviation communities, with many contributors planning to launch their efforts in advance of (and beyond) the main February event.
In coming days and weeks readers can discover:
- Which charismatic Founder of one an acclaimed Australian sales, marketing and promotional agency is pulling out all the stops in typically ebullient fashion to host a fund-raiser extraordinaire for #KickCancerThon?
- And staying in Australia, which renowned airport and travel retail consultancy has committed to each of its five-strong team completing the full 42.19km throughout February, recording its endeavours (including swimming, running, dog walking, treadmilling and ‘café walking’) with some inspiring location shots?
- Which renowned Middle East travel retailer plans a highly creative, company-wide effort to support #KickCancerThon?
- How a veteran travel retail Editor with a particularly poignant link to the cause plans to support it.
- The way another travel retail B2B publisher, renowned for its film and Blog coverage, plans to participate in the UK, Greece and Turkey.
- Which (youthful) veteran travel retail public relations professional plans to complete a 26 miles and 385 yards marathon walk on in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity? And what additional exciting plans does her company have?
- How a member of The Moodie Davitt Report is going to move (across) mountains to support the campaign?
- And which of his colleagues is planning a full marathon along with her beloved Mini Labradoodle.
- Which major travel retailer and brand houses are about to go global with their support?
- What the Moodie-Miller family team (including Sinead and Martin Moodie and Sinead’s husband Adrian Miller) have planned for the event?
#KICKCANCERTHON CASE STUDIES
11: Sunil Tuli prepares to show attitude at altitude
King Power Group (Hong Kong) CEO and Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) President Sunil Tuli is joining the burgeoning #KickCancerThon movement by taking on a daunting Himalayan trek in aid of Asian Fund for Cancer Research (AFCR).
Writing on his fund-raising page, Sunil said, “Every step upward supports progress against cancer.
“In February 2026, I will be representing Team King Power Group ( Hong Kong), in supporting the #KickCancerThon initiative by heading to the Annapurna region of Nepal to do the Mardi Himal Trek. This is a five-day expedition rising to an altitude of 4,500 metres.”
The acclaimed AFCR is committed to funding cancer research, especially those cancers prevalent in Asian populations, and promoting high-impact global collaborations to save the lives of cancer patients.
The organisation believes research holds the key that may end cancer.
AFCR places the highest priority in advancing cutting-edge cancer research that will lead to better preventative methods, advanced diagnostic tools, and more effective treatment approaches.
It funds projects in a variety of key research fields, such as overcoming cancer’s resistance to chemotherapy, developing new screening tests for early detection, optimising approaches of personalised medicine and stopping cancer metastasis.
Sunil commented: “This five-day trek will surely test my endurance but it’s worth it to support Sinead’s admirable charitable initiative to raise global visibility and funds for cancer research.”
Sunil has set a target of US$20k and has already reached over US$6,000. “Every dollar raised will go to the AFCR as I am funding the trip expenses myself. I am grateful for every donation, thank you,” he concludes.
10. The great Rémy and Rémi combo
Rémy Cointreau Area Director GTR – Africa, Middle-East, India Rémi Brabant showed his support for #KickCancerThon in extraordinary fashion by completing the gruelling 50-kilometre Ultra Trail Dubai last month.
Ultra Trail Dubai, held on 6-7 December, is described as the Middle East’s newest and most ambitious trail event.
Competitors have to cross the toughest ridge lines and remote wilderness of Hatta, with relentless climbs, technical descents and sweeping views that (allegedly) reward the pain.
Rémi not only completed the event but donated the equivalent of his registration fee to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, The Moodie Davitt Report’s nominated charity for #KickCancerThon.
He even provided documentary evidence of his achievement via the brilliant video below.
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is dedicated to funding life-saving research to develop the next generation of cancer treatment. Revenues are used to help diagnose cancer earlier and provide better treatments, tailored to an individual’s needs.
It funds clinicians and researchers at The Royal Marsden as well as state-of-the-art equipment and technology needed for the research.
9. Getting down to *(TR) Business
Travel retail B2B media title TRBusiness is setting about clocking up its own marathon walking and running effort in February in aid of #KickCancerThon.
TRBusiness Co-owner and CEO Janice Hook and Editorial Director Faye Bartle will be splitting the marathon distance (42.195km/26.218 miles) between them in a dual running and walking effort.
Janice will embark on a beach-to-beach walk in Koh Samui, Thailand, while Faye will lace up her running shoes to go the distance on Surrey road runs across multiple weekends in February. They will be sharing an update, once completed, via TRBusiness.com.
The dynamic TRBusiness duo has generously asked for donations to be added to The Moodie Davitt Report’s JustGiving page in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. And the title has kindly donated £700 to the cause.
“We are in awe of Sinead’s bravery in sharing her journey – our thoughts are with her and the family,” said Faye.
“It’s inspiring to see the industry come together in support of #KickCancerThon and we hope our small effort can help to make a difference.”
8. EVERRICH Duty Free climbs to new heights
Taiwanese travel retailer EVERRICH Duty Free is gearing up for full-scale, company-wide support of #KickCancerThon, the global and localised fundraiser and visibility campaign for cancer research, in February.
And one Senior Manager, Claire Ma from the company’s brilliant Public Affairs department, has got things underway already by hiking to Yushan (Mt. Jade), the highest peak in Taiwan at an elevation of 3,952 metres.
More to follow soon from EVERRICH Duty Free.
7. One Red Kite Founder Kevin Brocklebank to run full marathon at The Trinity Forum in Doha
Kevin Brocklebank, Founder & Managing Director of acclaimed UK travel retail consultancy One Red Kite and Founder of boutique research agency Shopper Behaviour, is running a full marathon at The Trinity Forum in Doha in support of #KickCancerThon*.
UK-based Kevin has chosen The Royal Marsden Charity as his local cause. He has launched a JustGiving page (separate from The Moodie Davitt Report’s page, which is supporting the same charity).
Kevin plans his run for 5.30am on 6 February, well before The Trinity Forum proceedings continue later that day. If you want to join him for part (or all) of the run, please email Kevin.brocklebank@oneredkite.com.
Other #KickCancerThon activities are also planned for The Trinity Forum. Watch this space.
Additionally the One Red Kite team plans a collective park run in February for #kickcancerthon.
6. WePurple plots ‘The Purple Path for Sinead’
Integrated, design, marketing and communications agency WePurple has signed up for #KickCancerThon with a spectacular multi-national initiative. The ‘Purple Path for Sinead’ is a global fundraising event that spreads the #WEPURPLETHEWORLD spirit across six WePurple locations. The agency has also chosen The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as its cause.
Each ‘WePurpler’ will use their wisdom, imagination and creativity to plot a ‘Purple Path’ that is personal to them and features the respective iconic ‘purple’ locations in each of the company’s bases – Cape Town, Jeddah, London, Mexico City, Paris and Singapore.
As part of WePurple’s newly certified B Corp commitment, each team member will complete their Purple Path using a mode of green transport (walking, cycling, hiking etc).
5. IAADFS & GO2 for Lung Cancer
On 18 December, IAADFS and GO2 for Lung Cancer announced they will co-host the Hollywood 5K Walk/Run and Kite Fly in sunny Hollywood, Florida an event that embraces the spirit of #KickCancerThon.
As IAADFS notes, this event is a central focus of a much larger initiative, creating a unified, vibrant platform for our industry to make a tangible difference.
This special day offers engaging activities for every age and ability level: the official 5K Walk/Run, a kids’ dash, live musical performances and kite flying on the scenic Hollywood beach.
GO2 for Lung Cancer relentlessly confronts lung cancer on every front, every day, for everyone. As the leading US lung cancer advocacy organisation founded by patients and survivors, GO2 for Lung Cancer is dedicated to increasing survival and quality of life for those at risk, diagnosed and living with lung cancer.
It envisions a world where everyone with lung cancer survives and thrives by accomplishing these key goals:
- Increasing the rate of lung cancers diagnosed early
- Increasing the rate of comprehensive biomarker testing and precision medicine
- Increasing the reach and impact of community engagement
- Improving quality of life
IAADFS said: “Whether you choose to run the 5K, walk it, join us in person to support our efforts, or participate remotely as part of the worldwide #KickCancerThon, your involvement is crucial. Every step and every donation helps generate vital support for those affected by lung cancer.
“We strongly encourage teams to get creative! Please capture your participation in vibrant, Instagram-worthy photos and videos, and wear attire that showcases the passion, diversity and multinational spirit of our global travel retail community. Let’s make this day a powerful demonstration of our unity and commitment.
“Together, we can turn awareness into action and make a meaningful impact on the lives of people facing cancer worldwide. We look forward to seeing you, either on the sands of Hollywood Beach or participating virtually across the globe, as we join forces to Kick Cancer.”
IAADFS also saluted Sinead Moodie’s “inspiring story of courage and resilience” as she kickstarted the #KickCancerThon initiative following her recent diagnosis.
4. King Power Duty Free, Thailand: Thanyarak Breast Center & Foundation
The Thai travel retail powerhouse has chosen to support the Thanyarak Breast Center & Foundation in Bangkok as its local cause.
This magnificent institution provides comprehensive breast cancer treatment services and serves as a training hub for doctors and medical personnel in breast cancer diagnosis.
The Thanyarak Foundation, under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, established the Thanyarak Breast Center at Siriraj Hospital in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital.
Thanyarak Breast Center extends its role beyond patient care by providing specialised training programme for doctors and medical staff in diagnosing breast diseases.
King Power Duty Free is hosting a Pink Power & Charity Day on 29 January, joining forces with #KickCancerthon in a classic local/global initiative.
King Power leadership, managers and staff are all participating in a hugely ambitious day. The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie will report live from the event in Bangkok.
Details of the event can be seen below. If you would like to support King Power Duty Free, please contact King Power Corporation Vice President Strategic Human Resources Witraporn Limbasuta at witraporn_w@kingpower.com
Look out for our continuing coverage in the run-up to Pink Power & Charity Day.
3. El Gordo Tacos & Grill & Global Drinks Limited, Hong Kong: The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
Have you ever heard of a ‘Taco-meter’?
Chances are if you visited El Gordo Tacos & Grill Factory in Wan Chai, Hong Kong during November, you will have.
El Gordo Tacos & Grill Factory, known unofficially as ‘Travel Retail APAC HQ’ (and to me and others, simply Harry’s Place) is an outstanding Mexican restaurant in Wan Chai’s bustling Lockhart Road.
It is owned by Harry Kartasis, Founder of Hong Kong-based Global Drinks Limited, the acclaimed brand agency focused on four key business areas: brand management, account management, supply chain and customer service. Harry is also the owner of acclaimed Japanese whisky Misaka.
So to the ‘Taco-meter’. To coincide with Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November and in recognition of Sinead’s diagnosis, Harry and the culinarily brilliant El Gordo team launched ‘The Sinead Especial’, a sublimely tastebud-tempting Taco based on some of Sinead’s favourite ingredients.
The ‘Taco-meter’ measured every order of ‘The Sinead Especial’, from which HK$5 will be donated to The Royal Marsden Charity in the UK.
“Our Sinead Especial Tacos has done very well, we closed it off at 2k Tacos,” Harry told The Moodie Davitt Report in early December.
That is a lot – a whole lot – of Tacos. Every one of them consumed both with pleasure and for a good cause,
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is dedicated to funding life-saving research at The Royal Marsden to develop the next generation of cancer treatment.
Revenues are used to help diagnose cancer earlier and provide better treatments, tailored to an individual’s needs.
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity funds clinicians and researchers at The Royal Marsden as well as state-of-the-art equipment and technology needed for this research.
Martin Moodie was treated for Stage 3 Stomach Cancer in 2010-2011 and his life saved through a combination of the outstanding care he received and ground-breaking research that led to his succesful treatment programme.
2. Flemingo Duty Free Colombo, Sri Lanka: National Cancer Institute Sri Lanka
Flemingo Duty Free Colombo management and team members today (14 December) participated in the Indian Cultural Association (ICA) International Half Marathon at the Galle Face Green, Colombo in support of #KickCancerThon and the National Cancer Institute Sri Lanka.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the leading hospital under the Ministry of Health dedicated to the diagnosis and follow-up treatment of cancer patients. The NCI offers both the diagnostic facilities necessary for the identification of all types of cancer, and specialised care in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Its vision is to reduce the burden of cancer in Sri Lanka by integrating key national and international health development agendas, and providing free access to high quality resources for cancer prevention, early detection, cancer treatment and care.
The landmark ICA International Half Marathon attracted more than 3,000 participants from across the world, Ministers, Ambassadors, corporations, Flemingo Duty Free and Sri Lankans of all ages in a celebration of health, unity and community support.
The scenic race route started and finished at the famed Galle Face Green. The ICA (also supported by Flemingo Duty Free) also raised funds for 10,600 children living in Sri Lankan orphanages.
We will bring you more details and photos from Flemingo Duty Free’s epic effort on behalf of its chosen cause in coming days. ✈
Note: Would you or your company like to participate in #KickCancerThon? To find out more, please reach out to Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com
1. Wand Technology, Israel: Top bidder to choose their cancer cause
Waving a magic Wand. That’s what Ian Kay, Operations Director at Wand Technology, an outstandingly creative Israeli company which uses technology to help airlines, airports and travel retailers to grow ancillary revenues, especially in the lounge space, is doing for the #KickCancerThon cause.
Ian’s daughter Sophie (below) is a botanical artist. Nine years ago she created a marvellous piece (pictured right) for a UK charity that, like #KickCancerThon, was raising money and awareness for cancer charities (and, as the image conveys, lung cancer specifically).
Sophie painted this beautiful artpiece and donated it for auction at a charity dinner, subsequently raising £2.5k (US$3.3k) for lung cancer research.
The brilliantly talented young artist has offered to paint a second work for #KickCancerThon and Ian and Wand Technology have kindly submitted the first £1k (US$1.3k) guaranteed bid.
Such generosity must be echoed, and The Moodie Davitt Report Publisher Irene Revilla has raised the bid to US$2k. Any further bids (which will go a cancer cause of your choice) can be tabled to Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com
