This article is from page 32 of the 2008-04-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
AFTER breaking the €100,000 mark last year, organisers of the sixth annual Micheal Dunleavy Walk in Doolin are hoping to push things even further this year.
The Michael Dunleavy Foundation was set up in memory of Michael Dunleavy, who died from a rare brain tumour when he was just eight years old in 2002. The charity organises a number of fundraising events both in Ireland and the US.
Michael himself lived most of his life in America, but often came to Clare to visit his aunts, uncles and erandparents in Doolin. Hopes are
high that this year’s walk will be one of the best yet.
“In total, we have raised more than €100,000 for the Irish Cancer So- ciety. We tipped over the €100,000 mark last year which is really won- derful. It shows the commitment and the generosity of the people taking part,” said Mary O’Connor, organ- iser of the Doolin Walk.
“We usually have about 200 peo- ple. It’s a good day, nice and relaxed. It’s like a family day. We have peo- ple who bring the dog along or bring the pushchair. It’s a good family day with lots of children involved.
“We would usually have walkers from all over. We have people who
come down from Miltown and Mul- lagh and that side of the country. We also have a lot of people from Bally- vaughan and an awful lot of locals. It is something that people really keep in mind and look forward to.”
The walk will take place this Sun- day, April 13, at lpm. Registration will take place at Doolin’s Russell Cultural Centre at 12.30pm.
“It 1s a three- or five-mile circular walk, so there 1s a bit of choice de- pending on how fit you are feeling. It’s going to be a really enjoyable day with great fun and a lot of relaxing.
“If the day is clear, and I hope it will be, we will get brilliant views of all the local scenery and even the
Aran Islands,’ continued Mary.
“All money raised goes to the Irish Cancer Society paediatrics research and to our local fund which is there to assist terminally ill local people and their families.
‘We have sponsorship cards avail- able and people can come along on the day and give a bit.”
Anyone looking for a sponsorship card can contact Mary O’Connor on 7074332 or Maurice Dunleavy on 087 2912916.