Tullamore woman to abseil Croke Park in aid of Dóchas Offaly

Tullamore woman Vivienne Clarke is set to abseil GAA headquarters later this year in support of Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group.

Vivienne works as a journalist for the Irish Times and will be one of 100 people to abseil down 150ft below to hallowed ground next October. She decided to undertake the challenge to raise funds for Dóchas as her late father John Clarke passed away after a battle with cancer in 2009. “I've always been a supporter of Dóchas,” said Vivienne. “My father died from cancer and when he was ill Dóchas were very supportive to us and so I always wanted to support them when I got the opportunity.”

She added that Dóchas offers supports through coffee mornings and by providing reflexology and massage treatments. “They provide a listening ear and they're just extremely supportive and not just to the immediate carer, but also to the wider family.”

Vivienne said she feels both “excited” and “apprehensive” about abseiling Croke Park and said it's something she's always thought about doing and heard about it when she went to a meeting recently with her friend Deirdre Fox who's the Manager of Offaly Volunteer Centre.

The Offaly woman has a target of €300 to reach for the fundraiser but hopes to exceed this figure. “I would hope to maybe even double it if I can. I'm putting pressure on family and friends.”

Vivienne remarked that she has participated in various charity walks but never anything as dramatic as the upcoming abseil. In terms of training for the event, Vivienne already walks between five to six kilometres every day and is hopeful that her legs will be “relatively strong” on the day of the abseil.

Vivienne concluded that she wants to emphasise the importance of Dóchas and how they need every support they can get. “I've put it up on my social media and I know that I have friends from the media in Dublin who would support me and it'd be nice for them to be made aware of Dóchas as well. I know it's an Offaly organisation, but I do think cancer support services in general are very important,” stated Vivienne.

The local woman will take part in the 'Do it for Dóchas - Croke Park Abseil Challenge' on October 19. Anyone who wishes to donate to Vivienne's fundraiser should visit the link at www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/VivienneClarke.

Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group aim to provide the highest quality psychosocial cancer support services to people throughout the Midlands whose lives have been affected by cancer. The treatments they provide nurture the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being of the individual affected by cancer. They also provide full services to the individuals family, friends and carers as there is a real acknowledgement that a cancer diagnosis can affect everyone supporting the individual.