Mini-marathon warmed up and ready to go

ORGANISERS are expecting approximately 600 walkers and runners for this Sunday’s 15th West Clare Mini-Marathon, which raises money for cancer care in the region.
Walkers will be collected at Kilkee Community Centre  at 12 noon before being brought to the starting line in Kilrush by bus. Runners will be collected at 1pm, at the same venue and transported to the starting line outside Regina House in Kilrush. Walkers will start their return journey to Kilkee at 1pm, with the runners setting off an hour later.

At 11am on Sunday, Kilkee parish priest Fr Gerry Kenny, will celebrate mass in the parish church for all cancer patients and their families.

A fundraising event will also be held on Saturday when Kilkee Fire Service host a car wash from 12 noon to 4pm in the town square. The car wash is organised by some members of the local fire service, under the direction of station officer John Garvey.

In 2012 the mini-marathon’s income was approximately €14,000 lower than expenditure.

“We took in €114,186 up to the end of last November. We spent €128,626. During the good times we got the opportunity to put a few bob away. But in 2011 and 2012 we had to dig in to the savings. If this is to continue, we’d have to think about dropping some of the services. Three quarters of the money is going out on taxis. The mini-bus is full time, five days a week although sometimes it goes twice a day,” committee chairman Willie McGrath told The Clare Champion.

He underlined why Sunday’s run and walk has to be strictly a sponsorship card event.

“We’re getting a bit of stick about it. We’re being asked why are we sticking to the sponsorship card? It just simply wouldn’t be possible to generate the funds required now to provide the services that we are providing. Taking a contribution on the day just wouldn’t work,” he explained.

“It’s very important that people remember to send back their sponsorship cards with the lodgement slip. They have until February 28. We had two audits during the year and the fact that this is our main source of income, we don’t have a choice but to make sure that we pin down everything. There is no point in sending back the card because the proof of it is when people send back the lodgement slip,” the committee chairman added.

Committee secretary Mary McGrath said Ennis-based counsellor Joanna Tracey was particularly busy in 2012 in her work with cancer patients.

“We have found that there was huge demands on the counselling service in 2012. It’s very important to have a counsellor on call for people. Our counsellor is here at the centre every Wednesday, on appointment. She will also go out to house calls,” Ms McGrath said.

Margaret Keane from Carrigaholt has been involved with the committee for 13 years. She says families who are hit by cancer appreciate the completely confidential help that the committee give them.

“The feedback from the families is that they can’t get over the amount of support, especially towards the end. Patients have comfort and they have the choice of staying in their home.

“Privacy is also a big thing. Nobody needs to know. Although people who work with the group do tell people. They might not mention money but they say that they’re getting huge help,” she noted.

“Unfortunately people don’t realise the work that’s being done until something hits the family. It’s great to have this as a support for families especially on the financial side. It takes some of the pressure off them. The taxi service is the big thing. That is very much appreciated,” Margaret Keane added.

Other events on Sunday will include a two-legged Kilkee derby featuring Kevin Shalloo, Biddy Hedderman, Johnny Burke and Anne Haugh. The race will run from Kilkee library to the mini-marathon finishing line in the town square.

Furthermore, local students Rebecca Harte, Ellie O’Regan, Emma Naughton, Mikey Taylor, Niamh Carrig and Carla Todd will oversee a charitable hair colouring evening in the Stella Maris Hotel from 7.30pm while earlier in the afternoon, seisiún na hoige will play in the square from 4pm.