Group pictured at the launch of Operation Transformation National Walk 2017 in New Ross Town Park. Pic: Jim Campbell

A GREAT turnout of people gathered in the Town Park recently for the launch of this year’s Operation Transformation national walk campaign in support of local woman, Mairead Redmond, who is one of this year’s team leaders.

Ms. Redmond, from New Ross, who is a chocolatier and pastry chef, was unveiled as one of the leaders on last week’s TV show.

She studied culinary arts in college and is very passionate about working with food which ultimately led her to what some might consider a dream job – making handmade truffles, artisan chocolates, and pastries.

Ms. Redmond recently went back to college to get a degree in Business as she wants to open her own business someday.

Among those who are supporting her campaign is Mary Teehan who runs the Fairy Truffle in Thomastown.

“Mairead has worked here for two years,” Ms. Teehan told the Echo.

“She never spoke about any issues with her weight so I never knew until she needed time off to go up to the assessments,” she added.

Describing Ms. Redmond as a great employee Ms. Teehan said she is fully behind her colleague.

“She is a lovely person and I wish her the best of luck with the programme,” she said.

The launch in New Ross was a great success with local groups and individuals joining in with their own weight management programmes in tandem with the TV show.

In next week’s Echo we will be interviewing Mairead about her schedule and what it means to be part of the programme.