BUSY WEEK FOR YVONNE!
IT has been a busy week for Louth’s Operation Transformation leader Yvonne Keenan -Ross as she faced down her fears and led a televised park run.
The Carlingford based cafe owner was challenged to - literally - jump into the unknown by Dublin Fire Brigade when she joined the show’s other leaders last week.
Under the supervision of Station Officer Dave Connolly and Firefighter Stephen Howard, Seán Daly, Yvonne Keenan-Ross, Chris McElligott, Maireád Redmond and Marie Grace were asked to climb a Turntable Ladder 100ft to the top of La Touche House in Dublin’s IFSC.
But in the ultimate challenge - they were then tasked with stepping out onto the truss, which at eight feet long and just six inches wide wasn’t exactly the most comforting surface to stand on!
Whilst attached to a safety harness and while balancing on the end of the truss, Yvonne and the other leaders were asked by Officer Connolly to take a leap of faith over the edge - literally off the building.
In what is compelling viewing, the exercise proved an effective -albeit tough- means of teaching the leaders to face their fears.
From the dizzying heights of Dublin to the gruelling paths of Dundalk - Yvonne then returned to her native county to lead the ‘parkrun’ event at DkIT last weekend.
The local event, which sees runners and walkers meet each Saturday morning at Dundalk Institute of Technology to complete a five kilometre challenge, featured on the RTE show for the second time.
‘It went really well, we had 230 people turn up to take part,’ explained Sarah McEneaney, parkrun organiser.
The cameras rolled, following the launch of Yvonne’s mission to take part in the event every Saturday morning.
‘We have runners and walkers who join us, and ambassadors for both were there last weekend to welcome everyone,’ added Sarah.
The event is completely free for all, but simply requires registering online at www.parkrun.ie/ dundalk/ and printing our the barcode to take with you. Event begins at 9.30am each Saturday at DkIT sports grounds.