This article is from page 35 of the 2007-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
THE West Clare Kidney Support Group is hoping to improve on the €33,000 it raised last year with its eighth annual fundraising walk in Kilrush on May 6.
All of this year’s proceeds will go to the Dialysis Unit in the Mid West- ern Regional Hospital.
Committee member and transplant patient, Fran Carmody, said that his own experiences and the death of his
brother in law from renal failure in- spired the fundraiser.
“Myself, Tom Prendeville and my niece, Michelle Gallery, had the idea and it was only going to be a one off at first. We have since done the walk every year for the Irish Kidney As- sociation and this time we decided to donate the money to the regional hospital. They are working really hard. Four out of seven days a week, the unit is running 24 hours a day. This is our way of giving something
back.”
Mr Carmody said that he has “nev- er looked back” since his kidney transplant in 1998 but that dialysis was still a daily struggle for many people.
He added that local support has been excellent.
“Local people help out with water stations on the day and we always get a great turnout. Everyone seems to know someone affected by it and people are always willing to help.”
The walk, which attracted 500 walkers last year, has gone from strength to strength since its first out- ing raised £3,500 (punts).
This year’s walk will start at 3pm from the square in Kilrush and will go as far as Cooraclare where there will be music and refreshments.
For sponsorship cards you can con- tact Michelle on 085 1617617 or Fran on 086 8638847 but anyone can turn up on the day to walk and make a donation.