Canal Way walk in aid of Self Help Africa draws big attendance

Cancelled last year on its usual date of St Patrick's Day due to Covid-19, the 5th Offaly Camino Canal Way 20km took place on St Patrick's Day this year, in aid of Self Help Africa and for the charity's work in Ukraine. Close on €18,000 has been raised so far with still more funds to be lodged.

Organiers Laz Molloy, Mark Plunkett, Paul Galvin, Ricey Scully and friends have expressed their thanks to everybody who took part and helped raise funds for the Ukraine appeal, especially the many participants from across the midlands and beyond and the children from various clubs and schools in Offaly. The event had a great turnout of participants who completed the 20km walk along the Canal from a 8am start at Tullamore along the canal to Cappincur, Ballycommon, Daingean on to Croghan with the final few steps up Croghan Hill where Mass was said by Fr. Greg Corcoran, parish priest of Croghan.

The Canal Way walked from Tullamore to Croghan Hill where the good weather helped display the Offaly countryside, towns and villages and all its beautiful scenery that beautiful Offaly had to offer.

After a long few hours walking everyone reached the last leg of the route making their way through the village of Croghan to the Molloy's House and Peter Moore's farm where a lovely spread of food was available with a much-needed hot and cold drinks and burgers as well as chocolate crepes and cold beverages supplied by the Molloy family and residents of Croghan village.

Laz Molloy, the event organiser, along with his wife Frances and his daughter Aislinn and Fr. Greg represented the cause with heart-warming speeches at the start of the walk and also to finish the day after mass, reinforcing why the day's walk through the beautiful Offaly countryside was so important to them and to the work of Self Help Africa and what the funds raised would mean for the people and families in Ukraine that they help.

Ronan Scully of Self Help Africa thanked all those who had supported the 5th annual charity walk in any way, especially Laz Molloy, Aislinn Molloy, Mark Plunkett, Paul Galvin, Ricey Scully Grainne Walsh and their families.

Self Help Africa works in 15 countries in Africa, in Ukraine and in four other countries acrpss the world. Ronan also thanked the people of all ages who participated in the walk and people and volunteers who helped out in any way to make it such a successful event.

If you would like to support the work of Self Help Africa or organise a fundraiser for the charities work in 10 countries in Africa please contact Ronan at ronan.scully@selfhelpafrica.org or go to www.selfhelpafrica.org or contact Ronan at (087) 6189094