This article is from page 86 of the 2009-12-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 86 JPG
MORE than 500 people are expected to turn out for the annual sponsored walk organised by the Clare Branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, which takes place next Sunday, Janu- Tear
Now in its eighth year, the walk has become a charity institution in the north Clare area each January.
Sponsorship cards are still available locally or from the Alzheimer Socie- ty office in Ennis, but people are also encouraged to come along on the day and donate what they can.
“We have had great support from people in Clare, Galway and Lim- erick and all over getting behind the
walk for the last eight years and it’s been a pleasure to do it.
“It’s a very nice walk. It goes from main road to the green road and then it goes to the grassy green road up in Fanore. There is a lovely view out over the sea and over all the Burren,” said walk organiser, Gerry Howard.
“We let people off individually or in small groups – we don’t have one big group moving off at the one time. We say 12 or half past for the walk but some people come a little bit ear- ly and some people come a little bit later. We had more than 500 people last year which was brilliant.
“It’s a nice relaxed walk. We have a great celebration on the day with tra-
ditional music, dancing and singing in O’Donoghue’s Pub after the walk. We have a great evening.”
As in previous years, all proceeds will go to improve and extend both daycare, homecare, and _ respite services for the Clare Branch of the Alzheimer Society.
‘There are very few families who haven’t have some sort of brush with it, either Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
“When you are organising some- thing like this, you are very much pushing an open door with people. Anyone who has had experience of it is always great when it comes to OIRO AU AMD MM CONDOR Gums
“Every bob we make goes into the services in County Clare. There isn’t
anything at all spent on administra- tion or anything like that.”
The 1OK Walk will start from O’Donoghue’s Pub in Fanore at 12.30pm on January 3.
For sponsorship cards or more in- formation, contact the Alzheimer Society Office at Unit 17, Clonroad Business Park in Ennis on 065 686 8621 or call Gerry Howard on 087 2346750.