|
|
 |
You are > Home > Hope & Dream ten mile event targets €100,000 for charities
|
08 December 2011
Hope & Dream ten mile event targets €100,000 for charities
WHAT THE organisers are aiming to be the biggest race event in Co. Wexford in 2012 is set to raise in excess of €100,000 for two charities whose causes are dear to the hearts of many in the county.
The Hope and Dream 10 is a ten-mile road race event whose proceeds will be split equally between Hope Cancer Support Centre, Enniscorthy, and Share a Dream Foundation, an organisation which makes dreams come true for sick and terminally ill children, and which was founded by Camolin native Shay Kinsella.
The highly-ambitious project will be held on Sunday April 1 next year.
Unlike a traditional race, there’s no entry fee, but the organisers hope that each of the 1,000 participants can each raise €100 in order to meet the projected target.
The race begins at Enniscorthy Promenade, taking in sections of the town before heading west to Davidstown and returning via Tomnalosset and St. John’s to the finishing line at The Prom.
All age-groups will be embraced by the event, with a special Little Dreamers Dash allowing children dash a 100yard course, also at The Prom area.
“Every cent is guaranteed to go to the two beneficiaries none of the moneys will be used for administrative costs and the organisers will not profit in any way”, emphasised John O’Leary, a member of the event organising team along with his Slaney Olympic AC colleague Tom Herlihy, Alan Maher (event PRO), accountant Eugene Doyle, Teo Leacy (Safety Officer), Ml. Jordan (Hope) and Maria Murphy (Share a Dream).
While the organisers have already received pledges of support and good wishes, they are appealing for further support to cover the considerable expenses involved in hosting the event, with corporate sponsorship donations most welcome.
Already, several have come on board.
From the start, ‘The Echo’ Newspaper Group has been involved in a partnership role, guaranteeing regular publicity and updates about the event, which is supported by organisations as disparate as Graphedia Website Design, Bennett Group, Tipperary Water, Enniscorthy Town Council, An Garda Siochána, and by a trio of local printing businesses C&R, Hogan and Tobin.
Mr. O’Leary was speaking at the official unveiling of Hope and Dream 10 on Friday night at the National 1798 Interpretative Centre in Enniscorthy, with legendary broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, accompanied by his wife Helena, performing the official launch.
Mr. O’Leary gave details of how the whole idea of the race came into being, what’s behind the planned race, and other aspects of what’s involved.
He emphasised that, along with regular athletes, it’s hoped the Hope and Drama 10 Mile will also attract the average walker and even ‘couch potatoes’, meaning that as many as 1,500 people could be on the road for the event on the day.
There will be a number of celebrity partipants, their training programme among the publicity in The Echo newspaper’s regular coverage of the occasion. He had a special word of thanks for the various sponsors, and stressed the importance of safety for those taking part: “If there’s safety, it will be successful.”
Details of the Children’s Race were given by Kasia O’Leary and Caitlin Reck, Transition Year students at Coláiste Bríde, and are involved with the event as part of their Gaisce Award project.
An t-Uas. Ó Muircheartaigh told the huge gathering that he was delighted to have been asked to what he said was a wonderful occasion, at which all present were there for the very same reason.
He spoke of the impressive sense of unity that is involved in the project, and encouraged those involved to adhere to what, he said, is ‘peoples’ greatest quality’ dóchas (hope) and not be afraid to ask other people or wait for them to lend a helping hand, especially when it is a very worthy local cause, one that in this case begins and ends in the town of Enniscorthy.
“They might be a bit shy, but they will also be willing to get involved in something that benefits others and helps foster community spirit.”
Recounting that the first All-Ireland (in 1888) was also on an April 1 date, that and many other events in sport and the GAA happened ‘because of hope.’
At Friday night’s launch, Town Council Chairman Jackser Owens pledged the full support from his organisation for the Hope and Dream 10 mile, and he praised the work both organisations are doing for the people of Wexford.
Tom Herlihy of the organising committee gave a resumé of the history of the Hope and Dream 10-mile, and expressed his confidence in the event being an outstanding success, which it certainly will through the generosity of spirit of everyone.
He cited the example of people like Hope’s Noel Matthews, who helped inspire the foundation of that organisation twelve years ago, and Share a Dream founder Shay Kinsella with his organisation twenty-two years back.
Ml. Jordan outlined the work and services of Hope at its Weafer St. centre in Enniscorthy, pointing out that the organisation’s symbol was a candle, a beam of light where otherwise there might be only darkness.
An expression of thanks to ongoing public support for Hope was mentioned by Margo Kehoe, who said funding remains an integral part of their work. Funding is always required as while all services at Hope are provided free of charge by Hope, it is required to pay for the services of specialists.
Shay Kinsella of Share a Dream told the gathering that his organisation does not receive any funding, and joked that, because of this, it is not ‘hit by the recession.’
“We depend totally on the goodwill of the people, who have been magnificent in supporting our work. With this kind of support, we would not be able to ensure that children’s dreams come true.”
He said that all the awards and glamour in the world cannot compare with the most important part of Share a Dream’s work, bringing happiness to the lives of children who are seriously ill.
Tom Mooney, Editor of the Echo Newspaper Group, said that people didn’t really know enough about the good work of charitable organisations such as Share and Dream and Hope.
He described the Hope and Dream 10-mile race as a fantastic idea, and promised the full support of his newspaper in the group’s four editions countywide, in terms of publicity, in the lead-up to its staging in April.
“The Echo is delighted to be involved, and it is one of the most important events it has been associated with. With general manager Murry McDonald, Advertising Manager Ray Mahon and all our colleagues, we will give the project as much help as we can.”
Organising committee member Alan Maher, who was m.c. on the night, said the committee is very confident there will be huge support from everyone for the idea, which has involved a lot of work.
“We need the help and support of everyone, and we are very grateful for what promises to be such a significant.”
Main News Page |
Previous Page
|
|
|
|
