Chinese charitable walk in the planning

AVENUE United manager, Alfonso D’auria is heading to China to trek on the Great Wall to raise money for Unicef.

Fonso is well-known in Ennis through his long-term involvement at all levels with Avenue United and through his father’s take away, Enzo’s on Parnell Street.
The 35-year-old is currently fundraising for his China trek and is organising a number of events to raise money.
“The walk along the Great Wall in China is taking place from October 8 for 10 days. We will be walking for five to seven hours a day. I will be with an Irish group who are doing the walk. I have been involved in fundraising for charity before but nothing of this extent. I did the Dublin Marathon previously for Clare Crusaders,” he said.
He is the joint manager of the junior Avenue team and the U-16s and U-8s.
“A number of weeks ago, a group involved with Avenue had a football fundraiser. Members of the Chelsea Supporters’ Group in Ennis played each other. People paid to watch the matches and contributed to a raffle and volunteers collect money at the games. We also raised €800,” he explained.
They have also organised a kayaking event, with participants being sponsored to complete the route in Ennis.
The next event is a Festival of Football on June 12 in Lees Road between 4.30 and 6pm. “There will be a Friendship Shield Final between Avenue Ramblers and Avenue Rovers and a Friendship Cup Final between Avenue Santos and Avenue United. We are hoping the local community will turn out in large numbers to support this event. Anything similar to this that we’ve previously held as been so much fun. Members of Avenue, past and present, and their families and friends will play on the teams. There is bound to be some great moments of play,” he added.
Fonso has to raise €4,000 before he can go on the China Trek. “Currently, I’m at €1,000 and I will raise the money. I chose Unicef as it’s a children’s charity and I’m a father myself. I have two sons, Dean, 16, and Gavin, aged nine,” he said.