Stratford-Grangecon step up for Pieta House
90 generous and good willed souls joined the small West Wicklow club of Stratford-Grangecon in stepping up and stepping out for Pieta House from last Friday, May 8, until yesterday, May 12, all in aid of Pieta House.
Pieta house services are 80 per cent funded from public fundraising, with this year’s main fundraiser, the Darkness into Light walks, cancelled they asked for local clubs to join them and help fill the gap in their vital services financial deficit.
‘‘We are a small club but we have a mighty community in our two villages and are so proud that we’ve have come together and #Run4Pieta covering a total of 515km between everyone that took part,’ said Ellen O’Neill.
The maroon and white club has very strong connections with the Darkness to Light events with the closest annual walk in Baltinglass being established by some of their members.
‘We are enormously proud of this connection and want to help bring our communities together for this event in a new unique way,’ added Ellen.
Participation included doing so within HSE-Covid19 guidelines to walk or run the 5km with their families.
Many walkers supported Pieta Houses sunrise appeal by doing their walk at 5.30am on Saturday morning.
Their was fabulous views to be had of their club facility with the mist settling on their by now very well rested playing fields.
Stratford-Grangecon’s €1,000 target was tripled with over €3,000 raised and this will help to save a life by helping Pieta to carry out their work.
‘By taking part we have helped raise awareness for Pieta and help make a difference to those in need of their services,’ said Ellen.
In the midst of the global pandemic, the annual darkness to light events being cancelled is resulting in a €6.5 million of a shortfall.
‘With Pieta house a critical service for many and as darkness continues within this time of crisis for some, we want to shine a light and call on our fellow Wicklow GAA clubs to come join us and the other participating Wicklow clubs by signing their clubs up to host their own event over the coming weeks. How far can Wicklow #run4Pieta? #CillMhantáinAbú,’ concluded Ellen.