A GROUP of local people are planning on walking 120km alongside the river Barrow later this month to raise money for one of Ireland’s most noteworthy community support organisations.
The walk, which is being organised by Noel McHugh, from Ballinaboola, will begin on July 19 and will raise money for Aoibheann’s Pink Tie which provides support for children affected by cancer – and their families.
The ‘Walk the Walk’ initiative will include local men, Trevor Kent and Derek Chaney, who, along with Mr. McHugh and others, and will follow a route along the river Barrow tow-paths from St. Mullins up to County Kildare and back.
The route will be 60km each way and the group plans to camp out on both the outgoing and return journeys.
While on the walk the participants will carry their own fully loaded backpacks containing essential equipment including tents, sleeping bags, food, cooking utensils and first aid items.
Anyone interested in participating in the fundraiser is welcome to join and contact can be made through the website, however, all participants will have to make their own arrangements for pick-ups and drop-offs.
The aim of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie is to develop, co-ordinate, and expand the supports available to families of children battling cancer in Ireland.
The charity was set up in 2010 after its Chairperson, Jimmy Norman’s, daughter passed away. Her name was Aoibheann.
During their long battle with cancer Mr. Norman met a lot of parents going through the trauma of having a child with the illness. He also identified with the financial burden that inevitably follows diagnosis.
Aoibheann’s Pink Tie is a registered charity with the Irish Cancer Society and affiliated with St. John’s Oncology Ward in Crumlin Hospital.
Olympic gold medal champion Katie Taylor is the charity’s Ambassador.
The organisation provides financial and practical help to families who need it.
“This will hopefully allow the families the ability to focus on their child and working through their illness,” said a spokesperson for the organisation.
“Families are often lost in the mix when their children go through this battle, but it’s not just the child that gets cancer, it’s the whole family as each is affected and must struggle,” he added.
For more information on the organisation log onto www.aoibheannspinktie.ie
Anyone wishing to show their support for the upcoming ‘walk the walk’ fundraiser can make a donation through http://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/29712_walk-the-walk-120km–fundraising-page.html or through the Aoibheann’s Pink Tie website.
As part of the fundraising drive Paracord Ireland has designed Aoibheanns Pink Tie bracelets which are being sold in support of the charity
