Marking 20 years of ‘kidney’ walk

- Róisín McManus -

The Mullahoran community are ready for the 20th Annual Sponsored Walk in aid of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) for Beaumont Kidney Support Centre, Transport Sport Ireland and Cavan Renal Dialysis Unit, taking place this Sunday, May 3.

Organised by the Mullahoran Annual Walk Committee and sponsored by a variety of local businesses, including Lynch’s Gala and the Hideaway Bar as the main sponsors, the walk has already raised more than €230,000 for over 20 charities in the last two decades.

Long-standing members of the committee; Rose Dalton, Grainne Lovett, Mary Sullivan, Aodhagan Cullen, Donie Harten, Gary O’Reilly and Ann Cadden, have worked tirelessly to keep the walk going over the years.

Speaking to the Celt, Rose expresses her gratitude and appreciation for their sponsors and all of the support they’ve received.

“Everybody’s been very generous with their donations,” says Rose.

After receiving a transplant in 2000, Rose took part in the 2005 World Transplant Games, and the first walk was organised to raise money for the games on her behalf.

“It carried on from there and built momentum along the way,” Rose explains.

“There’s great support from everybody for it,” she continues, adding that there are “quite a few” people locally who are either on dialysis, have been on dialysis, or have had transplants.

Every year, the walk raises money for the IKA and Cavan Renal Dialysis Unit, and funds are also raised for a number of different charities each time.

“They have great supports in place for everybody,” says Ruth of the IKA, who also praises the “friendly and helpful” staff in the renal dialysis unit in Cavan.

This year, proceeds raised for the IKA are going towards the Beaumont Kidney Support Centre; which can be used by patients and their families while attending appointments in the hospital, which is undergoing refurbishment works, and Transplant Sport Ireland.

On the day, there will be two walks; a 14km route from Corduff cross and a 5km route from Loughduff, both to the Hideaway Bar.

Registration will be taken on the day around 1pm at the Hideaway Bar, where there will be a draw with spot prizes later that night.

For further information on the walk, follow their Facebook page ‘Mullahoran Annual Sponsored Walk/Run’.