A walk is being organised in the Crossroads, Killygordon to coincide with the ‘Climb with Charlie’ fundraiser to remember the tragic loss of local woman Winnie Callaghan, who died after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Charlie Bird was recently diagnosed with MND and, on The Late Late Show, announced he will climb Croagh Patrick on April 2nd with family and close friends in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease and Pieta House.
This gave Cathy Callaghan, daughter of Winnie, the idea to have a walk in her local area in solidarity with Charlie, but also to remember her mother who passed in 2017.
The walk is due to start at the Crossroads parochial hall, opposite where Winnie’s fathers garage, Scanlon’s garage was.
Cathy posted on her Facebook page:
“Listening to Charlie Birds story these past few weeks has brought back a lot of pain and anguish for my family.
“As a lot of you may know, my mammy Winnie Callaghan was diagnosed with MND almost five years ago. From the short six months from diagnosis to her passing, which felt like a lifetime, we as a family have dealt with this cruel, nightmare disease with strength and support from friends and family whilst also still not believing that this has happened.
“Even after these past few years, it doesn’t get any easier, we are still trying to wrap our heads around MND. Thinking back on all the fond memories of mum as an outgoing, loving and devoted person to her family and her community really gives us pride and the drive to keep going.
“Experiencing first hand, the devastation of MND which is experienced by the person themselves and their families, we, through the Climb with Charlie fundraiser would like to give our help in supporting these families. This is truly a worthy cause to help and fund the research to find the cure to this cruel disease.
“It is not possible for everyone to climb mountains so we have decided to organise our own Climb with Charlie by doing a walk from the Crossroads parochial hall, around the back of the wall (Mounthall) and back to the parochial hall on the 2nd of April. More details to follow in the coming weeks.
“We hope that anybody who can, will come out and support the Climb with Charlie fund but also to remember Winnie.
“Lovingly missed by Tommy, Tim, Cathy, James, Louise and the Scanlon/ Callaghan families.”
