Two inspirational cousins from Donegal put their little legs through the paces to raise an amazing €6,050 for Donegal Hospice.
Emma Begley from Milford, aged 11, and Ollie Mc Laughlin from Convoy, aged 4, teamed up to walk 150KM in May to raise money in memory of their grandparents.
They were unable to walk together due to Covid-19 restrictions, but they collaborated remotely every day to clock up the kilometres and make their mission a big success.
Emma and Ollie – ‘Walking For Our Grandparents’
The cousins’ great/grandparents inspired their many journeys. Emma and Ollie have lost three great/grandparents to cancer who all received amazing care from staff at Donegal Hospice. Their great grandmother Margaret Carlin passed away in the care of the hospice in 2016, while Emma’s grandad Willie Begley passed away in January this year after receiving home care from hospice nurses. Their great grandmother Kate (Ma) Mc Laughlin, who passed away in October 2012, was also cared for by hospice nurses at home.
As a thank you to the Hospice, the cousins set out to raise €1,000 but this total multiplied to over €6,000 during the month.
Emma Begley on the last day of the walking challenge
On the last day, Emma walked to a landmark behind her house called the ‘Standing Man’ where her granda used to walk to everyday when he was young to gather peats. Meanwhile Ollie did the last mile with his mum and sister.
The duo would like to issue a big thank you to everyone who supported their fundraiser.
