Beara walk raises funds for school's well-being

HEAVY fog and mist didn’t deter the large group that took part in a fundraising walk organised by staff and pupils of Scoil Phobail Bheara in Castletownbere on October 5th around the Garnish Loop walk on the Beara peninsula.

The walk, which was held in memory of the late Maurice Cronin of Foildarrig, Castletownbere, who died in 2018, and also to raise funds in aid of the school’s well-being programme which works to support the wellbeing, mental heath and resilience of pupils attending the school.

Young and old participated in the 4km walk, which started at the Lehanmore Community Centre and took in the Garnish Loop Walk, part of the Beara Way,  before returning to the Community Centre for refreshments from the Cable Car Café.

The school actively works to promote wellbeing, and in recent years Transition Year students put together and published a book, You Are Not Alone, which set out to give all students attending the school information and support on mental health issues.

The book was launched by Finbarr Walsh, father of the late Donal Walsh, the Kerry teenager who, while battling cancer, campaigned tirelessly to promote an anti-suicide message to young people.

The school is currently collecting donations for Christmas gift bags to be given to Cork Penny Dinners. Items can be dropped to the school to Ms Murphy, who, along with fourth year pupils, will deliver the items to Cork Penny Dinners in November.

Both the organisers and the Cronin family expressed their thanks to all those who took part in the walk and who generously donated to the fund.

To date over €3,000 has been raised and donations can still be made by lodging money to the Cronin Family Fundraiser Walk account IBAN: IE12 AIBK 9362 7808 9940 06.