Answering the call to Killeshandra Camino
Image 1 of 2
Eileen Gormley, Camino Project Manager; Ross McKiernan and Sheila Reilly. Ross and Sheila were walking in the Camino as part of the ‘Hitting the Road for the Rhona McKiernan’ fundraiser in memory of their daughter.Image 2 of 2
These walkers were under starters orders shortly after 7am on Saturday morning in the Killeshandra Camino, with new County Council Chairman, Philip Brady giving the thumbs up to the event. See Wednesday's print edition for more photos.The Killeshandra Camino Calling walk was a success once again this year, however project manager, Eileen Gormley, is keen to let participants do the preaching.
“What a fabulous walk from start to finish. I don’t think I ever attended an event so well run; so warm, so welcoming, such kindness, generosity and great craic no matter who you spoke with.”
The comment was sent to the committee by walkers coming from Tyrone and Derry.
“We will be back, and we will spread the word, may your giving hearts and hands never fail. Oh, we had the loveliest swim afterwards in the town lake,” the walkers concluded.
The 35.5km walk was “another sellout event”, with which the organisers are delighted.
“We want people to have the experience, that’s more important than anything else,” Eileen said.
“The idea of this is to showcase Killeshandra as a destination of choice for walkers.”
When speaking to the Celt on Monday, funds raised had not yet been counted.
“Any surplus will go to projects in Killeshandra,” Eileen assured.
Eileen and the rest of the organising committee want to thank everybody who sponsored the event and those who walked on the day.
“It takes a village to rear a child, but it surely takes a village to deliver this amazing day,” she said.
Special fundraiser
Among the walkers this year were Sheila Reilly and Ross McKiernan from Redhills, who were walking in memory of their daughter Rhona Rose (6) who died in February. Their fundraiser ‘Hitting the Cavan Camino for Rhona McKiernan’ has generated almost €36,000 euro as it approaches its final days.
“We are overwhelmed at the support we have received for the fundraiser in Rhona’s memory,” Sheila said.
All proceeds raised from this fundraiser will be donated to organisations who helped their daughter - Cavan & Monaghan Palliative Care Fund, Cavan General Hospital Paediatric Ward and Cuan Cancer Support Centre.
“We have received such wonderful support and goodwill from people since Rhona got sick and we would like to think that we are passing this goodwill on to others by raising this money.
“We are so grateful to everyone who contributed and supported us.”
Sheila said the walk was a “lovely experience.”
“You get to see such a beautiful part of the county; we met lovely people along the way and great praise should go to the organisers of this wonderful event,” she praised.
Donations to the fundraiser can still be made here: https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/RhonaMcKiernan
Meanwhile, the Cavan County Board Health and Wellbeing Committee asked all GAA clubs in Cavan to nominate four members to buy a ticket and do the walk. Every club then fundraised a minimum of €125 for their group of walkers. All funds raised from this initiative will go to SOSAD Ireland, Cuan Cancer Support Centre Cavan and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.