By Michelle Crean

Members of the Killarney branch of Kerry Hospice Foundation are all set for their annual fundraising walks next week.

The popular fundraising walk on Good Friday April 7, will once again be in memory of the late Vivien O’Shea and Sheila McGillycuddy and all who have passed with life limiting illnesses.

Registration takes place from 9.30am at the Garden Restaurant, Muckross House and the walk commences at 10.30am.

There is a choice of two walks, a 10km and a 5km.

The 10km goes from the Garden Restaurant via Dinis Cottage and a section of Torc Trail and will return to the starting point. The route will be signposted.

The 5km walk also leaves and returns to Garden Restaurant, and is suitable for walkers with young children/buggies.

This year the Student Council of Scoil Bhríde Loreto National School will be setting the adult/kids quizzes.

There is no registration fee but there will be a bucket collection on the day. Tickets will be on sale for some lovely spot prizes and are €5 for three strips of five tickets. There'll be complimentary takeaway tea/coffee also available at Dinis Cottage by kind permission of the proprietor for participants.

"Killarney sprinter Sarah Leahy, who is making a name for herself in the athletics world, is our ambassador this year and will be cutting the tape to start the walk," Pat Doolan, Chair of the Kerry Hospice Foundation Killarney Branch, explained.

Suitable footwear is advisable in the interests of health and safety, especially along the section of Torc Trail.

Kerry Hospice Foundation is a voluntary organisation dedicated to providing palliative care services to people with life limiting illnesses. This care, which is free of charge, is provided at their 15 bed inpatient unit and Palliative Day Care Unit at University Hospital Kerry and also through the home nursing scheme. Presently it costs in excess of €10,000 a week to fund their services.

The people of Kerry have been very generous supporters and the magnificent facilities now available at University Hospital Kerry are testament to their generosity.

"The ongoing support of the people of Kerry is vital in maintaining these facilities. As our late departed County Fundraising Chairman, Ted Moynihan used to say: “You may never need the hospice, but the hospice needs you”. Looking forward to seeing you all on the day."

In Kilcummin on the same day a hospice walk will also take place starting from the recreation hall at 10am. The family friendly walk has a choice of 5km or 10km. Refreshments will be provided in the hall afterwards. Alan Oliver of Lir has again generously sponsored a large Easter Egg which will be raffled among participants. All money raised through donations on the day will be forwarded to the Palliative Care Unit, Kerry Hospice Association.

GOOD FRIDAY WALKS IN KERRY

Ballinskelligs: 11am – 1pm Ballinskelligs CC Reen and Back
Caherciveen: 11am Caherciveen CC fair field - Rockey Road back to C/Civeen
Chapeltown: 11am Chapeltown Football field – middle road, Batchelors Walk shore road and home
Portmagee: 11am Portmagee CC – Doora back to Portmagee
The Glen: 11am The Glen Day Care Centre – The Bridge return to Day Care.
Waterville: 11am IRD car park to Rineen Pier and return
Castlegregory: 11am Bowlers Corner, Castlegregory
Tarbert: (15/4/23) 10.30am Tarbert Comprehensive School to the Pier at Tarbert
Tralee: (Ted Moynihan Memorial Walk) 10am Denny Street - Blennerville – Denny Street
Lixnaw: 11am Lixnaw Church and back
Glenbeigh: 10am Rossbeigh Beach Glenbeigh
Listowel: 10am St. Patrick’s Hall – Charles Street, Library Road, Church Street, Greenway, back by Greenway – Church Street – William Street.
Milltown: 10.45am Milltown Muintir Na Tire Hall, Lyre, Ballyvarrane Cross- Nauntane – Milltown.
Castleisland: 11am C/Island Library, (Black Road) back to Library
Ballyduff: 5pm Cashen Pier to Lacca Cross via Knopogue Road, Coast road to Dowd’s Cross, returning to Cashen Pier.
Killarney: 10am Muckross House via Dinis Cottage and Torc Trail – return to Muckross House.
Annascaul: 11am Inch Beach
Killorglin: 10am Plaza Killorglin – Laharn, Ceanovree – Old Glenbeigh Road – Library Place/Plaza.
Spa Fenit: 10.30am Tankard Kilfenora, Fenit – Kilfenora.
Ballyheigue: 11am Castlegate Ballyheigue
Kilcummin: 10.30am Kilcummin Recreational Hall, Old Creamery, Keane's Cross – Kilcummin Hall.
Ballybunion: 11:00am Barracks to Cashen car park back to Barracks

Killarney sprinter Sarah Leahy