Another great success for Bantry's latest Operation Transformation initiative

‘WHEN you think of quitting, think about why you started’ is the sage advice offered by the team leaders who organised Bantry’s rather brilliant Operation Transformation.

The 100-plus Bantry Operation Transformation (BOT) participants formally ended their eight-week session on Monday, March 6th last. And all the team leaders were there to mark the occasion.

Hilary, Gitte, Rose, Patricia, Mags, Maeve, Lynette, Therese, Catherine, Jerry and Síle congratulated everyone who took part and urged them to ‘keep it up.’ 

With lots of good habits established, the team leaders said people now know all of the marked walks in the town, and are familiar with all of the classes and gyms available in the locality.The group’s Facebook page ActiveBantry perfectly describes how instructors in a variety of disciplines, as well as health and fitness experts, came together to support each other and the participants at a free weekly session every Monday night at the Westlodge Hotel.

On the very last night Eleanor Fitzgerald from the New You Studio, Ray Minehane from RPM Fitness, Mark Thurman from Bantry Physio and Maeve Murphy, who is a yoga teacher, each gave a 10-minute refresher session.

One participant, and team leader, Amy O’Sullivan has lost three stone since the start of the programme in January. 

Other success stories include Helen O’Neill, who established the Bantry Buggy Buddies, a weekly 6km walk for mams and dads and their little ones. And Tim The Ferry has introduced lots of people to the delights of walking on Whiddy Island.

The success of the BOT experience has also led to West Cork Development Partnership (WCDP) assisting the group in the production of a new leaflet featuring 40 West Cork walks, available at the WCDP reception at Warner’s Yard, and at the Marino Medical Centre.

Meanwhile, the Facebook page will continue to be a great resource of information about what’s going on in Bantry and West Cork.  Over the last two months, BOT handed out 400 Activity Cards, which encouraged people to get active.

However, the group’s success would not have been possible without the support of the owners and staff at the Westlodge Hotel, as well as the backing of local businesses, Bantry Library, and all the instructors who gave freely of their time.

This year’s programme was also kindly sponsored by Bantry Athletic Club, Rowa Pharmaceuticals, Bantry Blues GAA, Zenith Energy Bantry Bay Ltd, Bantry Credit Union, West Cork Development Partnership, the Westlodge Hotel and Supervalu.