"Great success" for 8th annual Offaly Camino Canal Way Walk

The Offaly Camino Canal Way Walk was a great success for it's 8th year.

The event took place on Saturday, February 1, to mark St Brigid's Day while also raising funds in aid of Self Help Africa.

A huge turnout of participants completed the 20km walk along the Canal from Tullamore to Croghan, ending at Croghan Hill where St. Brigid's Holy Mass was said by Fr. Enobong, assistant Director of The Ceili Community in Kilbeggan.

After a long morning 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 everyone enjoyed a BBQ and some much-needed hot soup, hot drinks and burgers as well as beverages supplied by the Molloy family and residents of Croghan village.

Laz Molloy and Ronan Scully some of the event's organisers along with Fr. Enbong finished the day by reinforcing why the day was so important to them and to the work of Self Help Africa and what the money raised would mean for the people and families in Africa they help especially in Baringo in Kenya.

Specially said prayers and blessings were said at the Fiona Pender Memorial and The Aisling Murphy Memorial as the walkers walked past along the canal and said quiet prayers at each of the memorials.

"At present [Tuesday, February 4] close to €20,000 has been raised for the charity's work in Africa particularly for a project in Baringo in Kenya with some funds still coming in," said Ronan.

"We would like to thank everybody who took part and helped raise funds for Self Help Africa, especially the many participants from many parts of the Midlands and beyond."

The organisers also thank all those who contributed to the smooth running of the event, as well as those who provided refreshments.

If you would like to support the work of Self Help Africa or organise a fundraiser for the charities work in 14 countries in Africa and the developing world please contact Ronan at ronan.scully@selfhelpafrica.org, go to www.selfhelpafrica.org, or contact Ronan at (087) 6189094