Caroline Foxe (right) is pictured with Suzanne Collins, from Women for Election, at the Equip 2015 workshop

IT MIGHT be still almost a year away but the election race is already beginning to step up a gear across County Wexford.

The Women for Election group contacted the Echo to express delight that Foulksmills woman, and General Election candidate, Caroline Foxe, had attended its three day residential and ‘non-partisan’ campaign school, Equip 2015.

Ms. Foxe, who is well known through her work in the postal service, is a first time independent candidate and the first female in Wexford to declare her candidacy.

Commenting to the Echo about Ms. Foxe’s attendance, Women for Election’s Director of Operations and Campaigns, Suzanne Collins said it was “great to see her step forward and run for the first time”.

“Women for Election want to support Caroline to hone and translate all her business and life experience into a winning national campaign as she contests the General Election in Wexford,” added Ms. Collins.

The aim of Equip 2015 was to take candidates like Ms. Foxe through every facet of campaigning to ensure she has access to the best possible guidance and advice in terms of running her campaign.

“Running for election, particularly at a national level, can be a daunting task,” said Ms. Collins.

“Women for Election are encouraged by the unprecedented number of women running around the country but we know that getting on the ticket is just a statement of potential,” she added.

“It is essential that women get elected if we are truly to change the face of Irish politics.”

The group has also pledged to help Ms. Foxe with her campaign in the coming months.

Speaking about Equip 2015, Ms. Foxe said it was a great experience.

“Equip has been a wonderful experience and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” she said.

“The information was really invaluable [and] being in a room full of women with such positivity has really prepared me for what is ahead,” she added.