NECRET WALKERS BASK IN SUNSHINE AND GLORY
GOLDEN sunshine enveloped the Boyne Valley countryside recently, as 60 hard souls headed off on the first Boyne Valley Camino in aid of The North East Cancer Research & Education Trust (NECRET).
In keeping with COVID restictions, the walkers were divided into pods of 15, each of which had a staggered departure time, and masks and social distancing were implemented.
This didn’t deter from the good humour and bon homie, and an incredible amount of money was raised by the pilgrims and their supporters.
‘We would like to thank everyone who participated and supported their first ever Boyne Valley Camino Challenge last weekend,’ said Ciaran Briscoe from NECRET.
‘Held with the day before National Walking Day and with tight health and safety protocols in place, a great day of weather added to the wonderful experience that is walking across the beautiful Boyne Valley countryside we are so fortunate to live so close too’.
A fantastic total of €8,200 was raised for NECRET’s mission of improving the treatment and outcomes of people with cancer by supporting cutting edge treatment and care.
The Boyne Valley Camino is fast becoming one the most popular attractions in the region. The walkers were brought safely up to Townley Hall wood, and guided towards Mellifont, where they were able to have refreshments and use the facilities in a safe manner. Another staggered pitstop at the Morning Star meant that weary travellers could arrive refreshed back to the starting point at St Peter’s Church in West Street.
Elizabeth Summersby, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Oncology Unit at Our Lady of Lourdes, also took part and said it was a fantastic experience.
‘It was an amazing scenery and we had a fab guide in Aine ( Walsh),’ she said. ‘My line for the walk would be ‘ let your feet do the walking’or ‘one step at a time’, and I think it wasn’t hard as we had a fab group of friendly people - each doing it for their own personal reasons. I felt a badge of honour/solidarity doing the walk for the patients I look after and also the pilgrim approach to self reflection etc
NECRET would like to sincerely thank a number of people and groups including: the walkers who did such fantastic fundraising for our cause, the Boyne Valley Walking Group for guiding everyone safely across the 25km course, the Irish Red Cross, the NECRET Volunteers, photographer Chris Leonard, the Drogheda Lions Club, the Old Mellifont Abbey OPW team, the Morning Star and the Camino Society of Ireland.
Special mention and particular thanks to Aine, Lorraine, Ruth, David, Dusty, Pat and Terry from the Boyne Valley Walking Group, without who a really great day would not have been possible.