Hundreds of women take part in moonlight walk fundraiser on an emotional evening in Aherlow
It wasn't about the organisation of the event, it wasn't about the title of the event and really it didn't even matter if there was a moon…
Yes, there were T-Shirts and goodie bags and a great buzz all around as a couple of hundred women prepared excitedly to start the walk.
The CJ Kickham Brass & Reed band played in the open air with the magnificent backdrop of the Galtees on the balcony of Aherlow House Hotel. The music, already beautiful, became more so in the open-air, like food, al-fresco, it just 'tasted' better; all senses more open as the melodies floated and calmed and serenaded the souls of the listeners
Busy, busy lives with things to do and things to remember were put on hold. The women connected with each other… gentle smiles and a deeper understanding and compassion was on the surface of serene faces. Yes, there was fun to be had and the heightened sense of camaraderie was to be savoured, but in everyone hearts was that sense of purpose. The emotions attached to knowing a loved one with cancer at present, or losing a loved one from cancer or, having cancer was in every one's thoughts. That's why they were there; to share in the dignity and hope, the grief and the healing; to walk and feel that sense of purpose, action - to do something.
The ladies walked down to the starting line with their pink balloon waiting for the countdown to release it with their wish to the night sky, to the moon. At that moment, as the sky merged with pink balloons, everything else, just like in life when our worlds are stopped with bad news, became a superfluous and indulgent worry or distraction. There was nothing else but that personal wish and the sound of marching feet as the ladies took off on the walk.
Linda Keating, from the Marie Keating Foundation said, "The Aherlow Moonlight Walk is one our favourite events of the year and we love coming to Aherlow House for this event. It's not just for the walk, but for the whole sense of occasion."
The Foundation relies on fundraising to provide its services as they receive no government funding. From their corporate supporters, to those who take part in marathons, or raise money at local fundraising events or purchase our wedding favours for their guests; they are eternally grateful to everyone who supports their work, in any way, big or small. This was the 3rd Aherlow House Hotel Moonlight Walk and again thousands of euros have been raised.
Ferghal Purcell, proprietor of the hotel said, "The event has become synonymous with generating funds for a very worthwhile cause. A record number of ladies took part in the walk this year and the site of all the balloon wishes departing into the night sky brought tears to many eyes."
Ferghal and Helen Purcell of Aherlow House Hotel wish to thank all of the ladies who participated and all of those that helped make it possible with a special mention to SEMRA, the Galtee Walking Club, Civil Defence, Irish Red Cross and the organizing committee.
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Weather for Clonmel
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
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Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
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