Big support for Saturday’s Camino Canal Way Walk

By Rebekah O'Reilly

The Offaly Camino Canal Way Walk is taking place this St Brigid's Day, Saturday, February 1, in aid of Self Help Africa.

The organisers are hoping for a massive response for what is the eighth annual walk.

It sets out at 9am sharp from the Fiona Pender Memorial on the Grand Canal Way in Tullamore, will culminate with a special Mass at 2.30pm on Croghan Hill, followed by a BBQ.

Fr Greg Corcoran and the local Croghan St Brigid's Choir will also be there on the day.

Taking a route along the Canal Way from Tullamore to the famous Croghan Hill, participants will experience a spiritual journey as it follows the Camino Way.

"We have about 100 people signed up so far. It's growing every year," said Ronan Scully of Self Help Africa.

"We expect to raise between €15,000 to €20,000 - which is around what we have raised before.

"I'm so thankful to the people of Offaly and the Midlands for their support. People are coming from all over to take part."

All donations to the 2025 Camino Walk will go towards a livelihoods and food security project in Baringo in Kenya.

Self Help Africa is dedicated to ending hunger and poverty in rural Africa especially in East Africa in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda where some 26 million people are hungry and thirsty at this time and where someone is dying every 48 seconds.

Sponsorship cards will be available for anybody who would like to join in the walk for a few miles.

If you require a sponsorship card, get in contact with Ronan Scully at ronan.scully@selfhelpafrica.org

For further information, or to sign up for the walk, go to https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/offaly-camino-canal-way-walk/