Hope Centre Summer Solstice Walk cancelled after 14 years due to health and safety concerns – ‘It's was a very difficult decision'
The Enniscorthy-based cancer support charity has been running the event since 2011 and it's become an incredibly popular and important event, affording participants the opportunity to reflect on their own cancer battles or those of a loved one, remember those who've gone before and to just talk to people who've had similar experiences.
This year, however, the event will sadly not go ahead, with some regular participants stating that it's another beloved event 'ruined by red tape'.
"The difficult decision was taken following a health and safety risk assessment and a thorough review of the event,' Administration Manager at the Hope Cancer Support Centre Denise McDonald said.
"It was a huge decision and we deliberated on it for a while. Unfortunately, there were additional health and safety requirements with the event being on the beach and it was just beyond our capacity.
"We know people will be upset about it and that's why we're going to try and do some alternative events including a meditative video on our social media platforms and website and we're going to put a 'Tree of Hope' outside the centre here where people can place their own symbols and messages.'
Details of these alternative events will be announced in due course, while a return of the Solstice Walk has not entirely been ruled out.
"Well you'll note the wording that it's just cancelled for this year,' Denise says. 'It may go ahead again in the future, we just don't know. Unfortunately, we just don't have the capacity to do it this year and that's a decision we arrived at after much consideration.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘National disgrace & an international embarrassment', says campaigner as kids left waiting YEARS for psychology therapy
ONE child in Dublin has been waiting more than 13 YEARS for psychology therapy, shocking new figures show. It comes as teenage disabilities campaigner 2 Cara Darmody is calling on the Government to take action on the growing waiting list for assessments Credit: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire Figures obtained by Social Democrats A child in In The devastating waits are equally as long for other therapies, such as occupational therapy, with one child in north Dublin waiting 502 weeks, while a young child in READ MORE IN NEWS For physiotherapy services, the longest on the waiting list is a child in north Lee, Co Cork, who has been waiting for the therapy for seven years. Deputy Quaide said he faced a battle just to get this data from the HSE, who were initially only willing to provide him info on how many children were waiting over one year without giving him access to the length of these waits. Teenager Cara Darmody – who has been campaigning for better services for her brothers who have additional needs – today held a briefing for politicians in Leinster House to highlight the shocking lack of therapies in Ireland for kids. Under the law, the State is required to provide an assessment of needs for children within six months – however, tens of thousands of children are not getting these checks to establish what therapies they need. Most read in Irish News Cara, from Ardfinnan in Co The teen said the crisis over Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks in the Dail about scoliosis surgery waiting lists delays leading to inoperable condition She was initially motivated to pursue her advocacy because her two brothers, Neil, 12, and John, eight, have autism and severe intellectual disabilities. Cara said they were "both failed dramatically by the State" in relation to the assessments and services that they received. However, she stressed that her advocacy is focused on the national picture rather than solely on the experiences of her brothers. 'TAKEN ABACK' During the briefing, Cara said that she had met with a Co Tipperary-based psychologist who claimed that "HSE red tape" is preventing her from doing more assessment of needs because an instruction from her local manager has meant she is tied up in supervising all aspects of the work of her junior psychologist colleagues. Cara said she recently told HSE chief Bernard Gloster about the experience of this psychologist, adding that he was "seriously taken aback" by what he heard. She said she asked Mr Gloster to launch a brand new, heavily advertised recruitment campaign for therapists and psychologists. 2 Campaigner Cara Darmody held a briefing for politicians in Leinster House Credit: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner launches fundraiser for mental health charity
Ms Gardiner told the Irish Independent that she aims to raise funds and awareness for North West STOP as she prepares to represent Mayo at the 2025 International Rose of Tralee Festival. The Kilfian native will be the only Connacht representative at this year's competition, which takes place on August 15-19. A party has been organised for her in The Thatch Inn in Crossmolina on August 3, where donations can be made to North West STOP. The charity was founded in 2004 by families who have been bereaved by suicide. The Leitrim-based voluntary organisation provides free counselling sessions, bereavement counselling and various therapies for children and adolescents. 'The counselling sessions are actually funded by the public, so they depend on fundraising and donations to provide that essential for people,' said Ms Gardiner. 'They would have supported me when I was going through my own mental health journey.' The 24-year-old is currently studying home economics teaching at St Angela's College in Sligo while looking after her son Noah (2). Since becoming the Mayo Rose, Ms Gardiner has sought to raise awareness for spina bifida and hydrocephalus in memory of her sister, Jemma, who died at the age of 16 in 2019. She represented Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland on the night she was selected Mayo Rose back in April, dedicating her win to her late sister. You can donate to Clara Gardiner's 'Mayo Rose Fundraiser for North West STOP' here.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Jobs boost for Mayo as Hollister Ballina makes €80m investment
The company, which employs approximately 1,000 people in Ballina, has committed to a research and development investment and a digital transformation project that will 'to elevate Ballina into a global epicentre of expertise'. This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. Founded in 1921 in Illinois, Hollister has become one of the biggest employers in north Mayo since establishing its plant in Ballina in 1976. Speaking at the announcement in Ballina, local TD and Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary said: 'This is a terrific day for Ballina with the announcement of 50 additional jobs for the town. After 50 years, Hollister is more than just a manufacturing plant in Ballina, it is a mainstay of our community. Today, second and third generations of families are employed there, boosting the local economy and contributing to the everyday life of the town.' Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Alan Dillon TD, described the investment as a 'powerful endorsement of Ballina's skilled workforce and Ireland's reputation as a hub for innovation in healthcare manufacturing'. The company manufactures products for ostomy care and continence care in their Ballina facility. It exports to 70 countries and has plants in India, Denmark, Lithuania and two in America. 'To see a long-standing employer, like Hollister, continue to grow and evolve through cutting-edge research and digital transformation is very encouraging,' said Mr Dillon. IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan congratulated Hollister and assured them of IDA Ireland's continued support. 'Supporting Hollister and companies across IDA Ireland's client portfolio with R&D investment and digital transformation endeavours sits right at the heart of Adapt Intelligently: A Strategy for Sustainable Growth and Innovation 2025-29,' he added. Shane Caher, Senior Director of Plant Operations and General Manager said the investment 'a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team'. 'We look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to deliver on Our Mission to make life more rewarding and dignified for those who use our products and services,' he said. Hollister, along with Westport-based AbbVie and Castlebar and Swinford-based Vantive, employ over 3,000 people in Mayo. Uncertainty was cast over their future operations in Ireland US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on various EU goods earlier this year.
