Kidney Walk set to surpass €200K

The 17 annual Mullahoran sponsored walk will take place in Mullahoran in aid of the Irish Kidney Association with proceeds given to Cavan Dialysis Unit and Transplant Team Ireland who were in Perth, Australia last week for the World Transplant Games.

Organisers are hoping to breach the €200,000 barrier this year for funds raised since the event started almost 20 years ago.

Rose Dalton who is part of the walk’s organising committee says that the preparations for the event, which has both a 5km and 14km route, are going well.

“We’re well set up, all of our signs are up and we’re ready to go. We’re just hoping for good weather. We usually have between 70-80 participants, but it can be as many as 100. Most of them have been doing it since it started in 2005. We had to take two years off because of COVID-19 but, when we started off again, there was a great uptake, most people were delighted to get out again.”

Rose, who had a transplant in 2000, says the walk began in 2005 as a fundraiser to raise money for her to attend the World Transplant Games, but was kept going to raise funds for the chosen charities because a lot of people in the area avail of their services.

“It started off after a conversation in a pub to raise funds for when I was going to the World Games and we kept it up. A lot of people in the local area have either received a transplant, have got dialysis or are currently getting it, so we get a lot of support.

“We also pick a different charity every year that local people benefit from, so we picked Ronald Mc Donald house, which provides accommodation to the families of sick children who are in Crumlin.

“We’ve raised €190,900 so far to date and this year we hope to make €10,000.”

Rose says that Cavan Dialysis Unit provides an important service for people awaiting a kidney transplant, and it is important to have the service in the local area.

“People getting dialysis can have to get it three times a day, for up to four hours a day. It can have a major impact on their lives and make it difficult for people with jobs and families.

“I used to have to get it but had to drive to Dublin, which added on at least two hours each way, which added more strain. You would be surprised by how many people avail of it in any one area. The beds in Cavan are always full.”

The walk is on Sunday, April 30, and starts at 3pm from Corduff Cross for the 14K and from Curry’s old shop, Drumhowna, for the 5km route.

BBQ after the walk at the Hideaway with entertainment by Laura Jo Music.

Details of registration to follow on Facebook but walkers can also register at the Hideaway before the walk on the day.