The community of Allihies will welcome people from near and far to join them for the fourth annual Ger Kelly Memorial Walk.
THE community of Allihies will welcome people from near and far to join them for the fourth annual Ger Kelly Memorial Walk in aid of the Mercy Cancer Care Centre.
The walk on Sunday, August 11th which takes place at 1pm around the beautiful Allihies loop is in memory of Ger, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2015.
Following his passing, Ger’s wife Catherine, daughter Aideen, son Pete, along with family and friends, got together to organise a walk to remember Ger and celebrate his life, while raising much-needed funds for charity. All funds raised through the charity walk will go towards the Mercy University Hospital Foundation and their Mercy Cancer Appeal as well as St Joseph’s Hospital in Castletownbere.
Funds raised for the Mercy University Hospital Foundation will go towards the building of the Mercy Cancer Care Centre.
Having recently secured a location in close proximity to the Mercy University Hospital, the foundation is one step closer to building a specialised centre to provide a quiet, safe place for patients and families to help them deal with their cancer diagnosis or to receive ongoing support during their cancer journey through one-to-one support, peer-group sessions and bereavement counselling in a non-clinical and relaxed environment.
Catherine said: ‘Following Ger’s passing in 2015, we wanted to do something special to remember Ger and celebrate his life. From day one of Ger’s cancer diagnosis, the doctors, nurses and staff at the Mercy University Hospital were fantastic and this meant so much to Ger and our family. When Ger passed away, we wanted to give back to the Mercy for their excellent care and decided to create the Ger Kelly Memorial Walk. Losing Ger was never going to be easy, but the walk has been a great comfort and something we very much look forward to each year.’
Since the memorial walk began in 2016, an impressive €12,738 has been raised for the Mercy University Hospital Foundation. This has enabled the team at the Mercy to purchase furniture for a new Consultancy Room called the Quiet Room in St Therese’s Ward. Thanking the Kelly family and friends for their support, Deirdre Finn, campaigns and community manager at the Mercy University Hospital Foundation said: ‘Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be a very traumatic experience and we want to do everything we can to provide the best possible support and facilities.’
Entry to the walk costs €10, and registration takes place at Jimmy’s Bar at noon and all are welcome. Refreshments will be served after the walk in Jimmy’s Bar, followed by entertainment.
For more information visit www.mercyfundraising.ie.
