Civil defence hike for charity
MEMBERS OF Wexford Civil Defence went on a two-day overnight hike last month to raise money for one of the country’s most highly regarded charities and the event was a great success.
The hike was held over the weekend of April 21 and 22, and raised €2,713 for the Make-AWish Foundation. The cheque was handed over at at a ceremony in County Hall to Tricia Quinn who thanked everyone involved for their generosity.
The hike was organised by Fergus Gallagher, who is a Civil Defence member, and Peter O’Connor who is the fulltime County Wexford Civil Defence Officer.
Speaking to this newspaper about the event Mr Gallagher said 25 volunteers were involved and although they are used to carrying out searches in undergrowth in support of the emergency services none of the members would have been used to hiking for such a long distance and in such difficult terrain.
‘We followed a route from Marley Park to Lough Tay and we just felt it would be nice to raise money for the Make-AWish Foundation because they do really good work,’ said Mr Gallagher.
The group included five members of the Wexford Ambulance Service who are also Civil Defence volunteers.
‘It was great to raise money for a worthy cause but it was a great team-building exercise,’ said Mr Gallagher.
‘It was also a great success and because of that we would have a mind to do it again,’ he added.
Mr Gallagher said the organisation worked very closely with the national emergency services during the recent heavy snow storms and during Storm Emma and said it was invaluable to the ambulance service during those incidents.
‘I suppose this was the other side of what the [organisation] does,’ he said.
The hikers stayed overnight at the Knockree Youth Hostel, near Enniskerry, and Mr Gallagher said it was tough going covering the route.
‘I organised it and although we are regularly out searching this was something that we never do so there were a lot of blisters but they gritted their teeth and got on with it,’ he said.
He also highlighted the fact that all of the volunteers willingly gave their time for the event and thanked Mr O’Connor for ensuring it was a success.
Mr Gallagher also commented that the organisation is always interested in new members getting involved and that anyone with an interest in getting involved can out more about Wexford Civil Defence by logging onto www.wexfordcivildefence.com or email: cdo@ wexfordcoco.ie