HOPE AND DREAM TEAM: BEHIND THE SCENES
JOHN MURPHY
I HAVE been a volunteer for the Hope and Dream 10 for the last seven years. My brother Matt was a volunteer at the time and asked me would you like joining me and the team to help put up the marquees,also put out the crowd control barriers, set out all the race signage, and the water stations for the Hope and Dream10race starting at 10.30 a.m. He said there is only one thing: ‘You must be down at Murphy’s Cash and Carry yard on the Quay at 5 a.m. sharp.’ When he says sharp that means you are to be there 10 minutes early. I thought the volunteers were all mad starting so early, and when the Sunday morning came, of course I was down at 4.50a.m., thinking I would be the only person there but when I pulled in to Murphy’s Cash and Carry yard, it was a hive of activity. There were forklifts buzzing around moving barriers out on to the road where the start line for the race was to be. My first reaction was no time for chit chat, better get stuck into the work with all the other volunteers. I will always remember that first morning that I helped it was freezing with a right cold breeze coming off the Slaney, but I soon got warmed up as I got into the work with all the helpers. Once we had all the work done on the promenade for the starting point of the race, we headed out with the van and trailer to set up all the water stations on the race route,this entailed putting up tables, stacking them with bottles of water for the runners and walkers also bins along the route to collect the empty bottles. At this stage it had just passed 8.30 a.m., I could not believe how fast the morning had gone and how well the work was organised.
My next task was marshalling for the race, but before this I headed home and had a well-deserved breakfast. I took up my marshalling position at the bottom of the Friary Hill junction looking down towards the Quay when I heard the bang of the starting gun,and within moments all the runners and walkers turned the corner onto the Mill Park road. It was a sea of colour and a sight I will never forget, and for such a good cause. From that moment on I was hooked as a volunteer.
ENNISCORTHY RED CROSS
The Red Cross is again delighted to be supporting in 2020, the Hope and Dream 10 Event. The Red Cross has been involved with Hope and Dream 10 since it began, with the Enniscorthy
unit attending the first Hope and Dream 10 meeting back in 2012.
Since that meeting and first very successful Hope and Dream 10 event, the Red Cross has supported every event since. Each year the Enniscorthy Red Cross unit and its volunteer members, with assistance from the Gorey Red Cross unit have drafted the event medical plans and provided ambulance first aid cover.
We have seen it go from strength to strength each year, this is due in no small way to the fantastic background work and forward planning by the Hope and Dreams 10 voluntary committee.
Each year we put out the call to our Red Cross volunteers and each year we get the same fantastic response as most of us have family, friend or colleague’s that have availed of the services of the charities involved.
Our volunteers are always enthusiastic to go the extra mile for the hope and dreams 10. We not only provide first aid cover but help with picking up bottles, delivering notices, moving equipment and adding our own bit of encouragement to the participants on the day.
A number of years ago the Enniscorthy Red Cross decided to adopt the Hope Centre as our chosen charity and we do our utmost to provide ambulance cover to as many of their fundraising events as possible.
We are amazed each April at the support from the local community and further afield that this event receives. Since 2012 an incredible €1,154,224 has been raised, a fantastic achievement by the organisers and volunteers.
The Enniscorthy & Gorey Red Cross would like to take this opportunity to wish the best of luck to the 200 volunteers who will be working on the day to ensure the safe running of the event.
Also to the 2,500 or so participants, please be safe be seen and most of all enjoy the day! Red Cross volunteers will be with you along the way to ensure your safety. Get your registrations in as soon as possible. Best wishes from all at Enniscorthy & Gorey Red Cross.