This article is from page 24 of the 2008-01-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
THERE’S still time to start 2008 in a healthy and charitable fashion — just by taking part in the fifth annual New Year’s Charity Walk, which takes place this Sunday, January 13, in Toonagh.
The walk, which is organised each year by Breda McCullough, allows walkers to take three distinct routes designed to suit every level of fit- ness.
All the proceeds from this year’s walk will go towards equipment for St Clare’s School, which will help to prepare some of the county’s most
dedicated young athletes to take part in the Special Olympics movement.
“The Special Olympics is expand- ing all the time and we are hoping to raise enough money to fund new equipment and gear for the young children in all the different events. It will allow them to keep being involved and more and more children are getting involved all the time,” said Ms McCullough.
“I organise a different fundraiser each year for local charities. In the past I have raised money for things like the Clarecastle Day Care Cen- tre and for the Clare Branch of the Sunset Foundation.
“The walk starts in Toonagh Hall and finishes there as well. We have a two-mile, a three-mile and a six-and- a-half mile walk, so we have some- thing to suit everyone.
“It’s a beautiful walk, it goes around by Dysert Church, Dysert Castle and the high cross as well. You have the old monastery and the graveyard up there, so besides being a lovely walk there is a lot of interesting things for people to see.”
Registration for the race takes place from 11.30am at Toonagh Hall on Sunday morning, with the walk itself set to start at 12.30pm. Launching this year’s walk will be Mary’s son,
Conrad, who has himself already gained both national and interna- tional success as part of the Special Olympics movement.
“We don’t have sponsorship cards SO we are asking people to just come along on the day itself. It’s usually three euro to walk but people can donate whatever they want. Altogeth- er, we are hoping to raise as much as €3,500,” added Ms McCullough.
“My son Conrad, who is involved in the Special Olympics, is a special needs child in St Clare’s School. He usually comes along and starts the race and also likes to help out a lot on the day.”