Clonmel to host another Healthy Heart Walk
Last May, Clonmel was host to its first sponsored Healthy Heart Walk and over €30,000 was raised for local charities. The people of Clonmel displayed true community spirit and social responsibility by turning out in their hundreds to support the local community.
The sponsored walk was initiated to encourage young and old to get out and exercise, to appreciate the beauty of Clonmel and to foster a social responsibility.
Over 1,000 people participated - some brought buggies, some brought their canine friends and some just met up to walk and chat with friends. The local Scouts came in full uniform and local clubs were encouraged to attend. The Gardai, along with members of the Athletics Club did an excellent job stewarding and the Red Cross and the Civil Defence were available to lend their support.
The night turned out to be a very successful social event and due to popular demand it is being organised again this year at 7pm on Wednesday, 20th May at the Clonmel Park Hotel. The route will remain the same - a 5km walk around the beautiful Marlfied Lake and will be led by our local sporting heroes.
A quiz about foliage and sights en route will be distributed to entertain the younger walkers and the prizes will be sponsored by Abbott Vascular. Juice and apples from the Apple Farm will also be given out on the night.
The key to its success is a guarantee that 100% of the money raised will be given to three local charities. No money is wasted on goodie bags, t-shirts etc. All money received stays locally and in times of a recession charity begins at home.
Last year three local charities benefited hugely from the money raised - The Hospice, CARE (Cancer Care) and the Befriending Service. The latter charity, which offers help to people with mental health issues, increased its service from 11 hours per week to 22 hours after receiving €10,000.
This year the money raised will go to three different local charities - St. Vincent de Paul's Educational Fund, Place4U and a third charity to be nominated by the winner of the Primary School Art Competition.
St. Vincent de Paul are currently funding breakfast and homework clubs in some primary schools in Clonmel. The feedback from principals, teachers, parents and pupils is extremely positive. It is envisaged that this service will be extended to as many schools as possible in the near future.
In the present economic climate it is often the most vulnerable in our society that lose out. It is therefore very important that the people of Clonmel make an effort to ensure that all positive measures are taken to safeguard our young people and to encourage them to remain in mainstream education for as long as possible. It is a very worthy cause that badly needs funding.
The second charity Place 4U envisages reviving life in the town centre. The Diocese of Waterford and Lismore and parish of Ss Peter and Paul's have kindly made a building in Gladstone Street available to the people of Clonmel.
It is to be transformed into the Place 4U Centre and will be a social meeting place for the elderly to pop in for a chat and a cup of tea, as well as a cafe style meeting place for teenagers.
It will also be home to a large number of community services, groups and agencies, from bereavement support counsellors to St. Vincent de Paul. The overall cost of the project is €1m and it will cost a further €500,000 to get the amenity centre up and running. This is a much needed facility and the sooner it is up and running the better it will be for the local community.
It is hoped that people will come out and support the Healthy Heart Walk that guarantees 100% of the money raised will stay local.
Sponsorship cards are now available from Marian's Bookshop, O'Connell Street or from any committee member.
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Thursday 23 February 2012
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