Hundreds took part in today’s ‘Walk with Winnie’ event at Crossroads, Killygordon, to coincide with the ‘Climb with Charlie’ fundraiser.
The event was orgniased to remember the tragic loss of local woman, Winnie Callaghan (nee Scanlon), who died after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Charlie Bird announced on The Late Late Show he would climb Croagh Patrick 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 aged just 51.
The late Winnie Callaghan with her father, Hughie Scanlon, on her wedding day.
Just over 500 people set off from the Crossroads parochial hall, adjacent to where Winnie’s fathers garage is located.
Cathy posted on her Facebook page:
“Listening to Charlie Bird’s story these past few weeks has brought back a lot of pain and anguish for my family,” she said
“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.”
She stressed that all donations would go towards both the Irish Motor Neurone Disease and Pieta House.
You can still donate on Cathy’s iDonate page.
Frank Kelly (Curragh Athletic FC), Bridget Mc Ginty (Niece of Joe Gallen) and ‘Climb for Joe’ Event Co-ordinator Liam McColgan.
‘Climb Barnes for Joe’
Meanwhile, as part of the same fundraising drive, almost 300 people made it to the top of Barnesmore Gap for the ‘Climb Barnes for Joe’ event.
The climb was organised for former Curragh Athletic FC Killygordon and Blane Rovers (Aghyaran) player, Joe Gallen, who recently passed away from the same debilitating disease.
Donations can still be made via the ‘Climb Barnes for Joe’ iDonate page.
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