PEOPLE in Ennis will be putting their best foot forward this weekend in a bid to raise funds for the Burren Chernobyl Project. A fun run/walk will be held on this Saturday, starting at 11am at The Junction in Cloughleigh.
The event is being organised as three local creche workers prepare to head to Belarus this August to volunteer at an orphanage. Hazel O’Connor, Bridget Punch and Lisa Cullinan, who work at the Lifford Childcare Centre, will volunteer at the Gorodishche orphanage, joining others from the Burren Chernobyl Project.
And in order to raise funds for the worthy cause, the fun run / walk has been organised with hopes that hundreds of people will take part. With a choice of two routes, five kilometres and ten kilometres, the event is something that anybody can take part in.
And there will also be some special guests making an appearance. “We will have Clare goalie Pa Kelly signing jerseys and also Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be here on the day. This really will be a fun day for all the family. And even if you don’t want to take part in the walk or run, you can just come along and join in the fun and maybe get your jersey signed or meet with Mickey and Minnie. Also we’d love to have people there to cheer on the runners and walkers,” explained Hazel who has been a regular volunteer at the orphanage since 2007.
The event is already attracting plenty of interest. “We have online registration and we’ve a lot who have already registered for it. There seems to be a large uptake and hopefully we will have fine weather. We would be delighted if we had 200 people there. It’s a flat route along the bypass and there is a choice of 5k or 10k so it really is something anybody can take part in. You can walk it or run it, bring along your buggy, your dog, we just want as many people as possible to take part and support this worthy charity.”
Later that night there will be a benefit gig in Patrick’s Bar at 9pm featuring local bands, with photos taken from day’s fundraiser on display.
To register for the fundraiser, go to www.eventbrite.ie, or register on the day of the walk up until 10.30am. For more information the work of Burren Chernobyl Project check www.burrenchernobyl.ie