HOPE AND DREAM TEAM: BEHIND THE SCENES
My name is Martina O’ Sullivan, I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to get involved with the Hope & Dream. I have been working behind the scenes with the Hope & Dream for the last 3 years and I can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of it.
Giving my expert advice on health and fitness is a dream to me as I am a qualified nutrition advisor and also a personal trainer and fitness instructor. My main aim is to help guide the leaders and of course all the people reading my articles to start a new healthy lifestyle that is both achievable and maintainable. I meet the leaders regularly to gauge their progress and also keeping them focused in reaching their goals for the big race day on April 5. I have been involved in various charitable events and am now currently the new head coach for the Special Olympics athletics in CWCW Enniscorthy. I am at present working in Intellectual Disability with the HSE and have just one year left of my four year degree in Carlow IT. My life is running in the fast lane trying to keep everything going but that’s exactly as I like it.
I am involved with two fitness groups New year’s resolution, 2, 5k which is on every Monday and Thursday nights from 8 to 9 at the Enniscorthy hub. This is a beginner’s group and anyone looking to start off a healthy challenge is very welcome. I am also involved in Fit-Nutz which is based in the Shelmaliers grounds in Castlebridge every Tuesday and Friday from 7 to 8 again anyone interested in joining a fitness group is more than welcome. This is also a beginner group and we also have an intermediate and advanced group.
The work that goes on behind the scene for the Hope & Dream is incredible with Mairead, Sarah, Linda, Michael, Denise and the list can go on and on and on. I am delighted to be part of such an amazing successful charity. The Hope centre and The Wexford Hospice are two most deserving of charities and I am honoured to be part of each year. I wish everyone taking part in the big day all the best and just relax, enjoy the atmosphere as it is truly an amazing day for all involved.
My name is David Butler, I have been volunteering for the Hope & Dream since its inception in the early days stewarding at different junctions along the route, for the last few years I have been helping with the set up on the prom prior to the race putting up the marquee (Kindly sponsored by Doug Kidd of Kidd Lubricants) and setting it out for the first aid and refreshments. Since 2015 I have been photographing the race in conjunction with stewarding.
I have photographed runners on the prom prior to the start and along the route and for the last couple of years I have taken pictures at the hill in Munfin which is on the most challenging part of the route,it is the last heavy climb on the way back into Enniscorthy.
Its very rewarding capturing the expressions of the Runners ,walkers young and old as they hit the hill with a determination that cannot be described.
Every person taking part in the Hope has their own reasons for participating. The determination to get up that hill and back to the finish line is something else , there is always a bit of banter and craic and a smile for the camera and a bit of encouragement to keep going,seeing the camera on the hill is probably a momentary distraction from the pain and exhaustion.
After all the participants have passed the hill I return to the prom to take some more photos at the finish line and when the race is over we take down the marquee and clean up returning the prom to its daily use leaving no trace of one of Enniscorthy’s largest public events , with the prom cleared its time for a cup of tea and a sandwich in the Riverside Park Hotel.
It’s nice to give back a little memento of the day to the participants through my photography over the week following the race. I post all the photo’s to the Hope & Dream 10 Facebook Page for people to view and share with their friends.
Being a volunteer in the Hope & Dream Team is a privilege such a great bunch of people