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STEP it out with Killarney Walking Festival as it hosts a charity walk and a special sun “set” on Strickeen on Friday, June 9. Proceeds of the event will go to the Kerry Parents & Friends “Buy a Bus” fund.

The charity Kerry Parents and Friends has played an enormous role in the lives of families in Kerry, living with intellectual difficulties. The “Buy a Bus” fund is the initiative of Agnes Rooney, whose sister Mairead – cared for full-time by Agnes since their mother's passing in 2015 – has Down's syndrome, and has been helped by the group for decades. Agnes herself admits she'd be lost without the association's assistance, which has led to her ongoing attempt to raise €60,000 to purchase a wheelchair-accessible bus for the charity.

To date the present fleet of 17 buses are deteriorating with no funding for replacement. “These buses take Mairead and her friends to work, home, hospital appointments, social training, respite and holidays. They travel all over Kerry and truly support them and their families in ways that the greater community may not understand,” said Agnes.

The charity walk departs Kate Kearney’s Cottage at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe, at 7.30pm. Walkers will be asked to dance an entire Kerry polka on the summit, just bring a tin whistle and a bodhrán. The “Buy a Bus” campaign is also one of the beneficiaries of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle this year, Agnes is actively seeking cyclists to register for the ‘Buy a Bus’ charity on the Ring of Kerry website.
 

 
Avril Rooney, Marie Kehoe-O’Sullivan, Agnes Rooney, Kayla and Ciara Roche, Denis O’Sullivan, John O’Sullivan, Killarney Walking Festival, and James Rooney.
PICTURE: VALERIE O'SULLIVAN