PHOTOS 24 hour World Record Rowing attempt at Crescent Shopping Centre in aid of St Gabriel’s Foundation

Kate Healy, rower and of St Gabriels Foundation pictured with Eimear Dwan, Marketing Manager Crescent Shopping Centre, Brian O’ Leary, Centre Director, Crescent Shopping Centre,  St Gabriel’s Foundation service user Lovre Bilic and his mother Ivana and Treasa McAuliffe, CEO St. Gabriels Foundation. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Proud Limerick woman and St Gabriel’s Foundation therapist, Kate Healy will attempt to break a rowing World Record in support of the foundation to raise funds for an Innowalk that allows children in wheelchairs to experience dynamic movement

Kate Healy, a proud Limerick woman, is a therapist at St. Gabriel’s Foundation and an experienced rower. Combining her two passions, Kate is attempting to break an Irish, European and World Record by being the first Irish female rower (20-29) to row consecutively for 24 hours.

She will be rowing her heart out in the atrium of the Crescent Shopping Centre, Limerick from 11am on November 29th until 11am November 30th.

She’s doing this to raise funds for an Innowalk, a piece of equipment that allows children in wheelchairs to experience dynamic movement and engagement in physical activity. It improves their quality of life by giving them access to activities that they couldn’t do in a seated position plus it allows them to stand tall and generate endorphins that give a great boost – good for the mind, body and soul.

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So why is Kate taking on the challenge? She said, “I have been rowing with a number of clubs in Limerick since I was twelve years old and am currently a member of Shannon Rowing Club – yet this will be my biggest challenge to date!

“Over the summer, the St. Gabriel’s Physiotherapy Department trialled an innovative dynamic stander called the Innowalk – a piece of equipment that supports children with complex physical needs to stand, move and walk independently.

“There are several benefits to this piece of equipment including; promoting circulation, increasing muscle strength, improving digestion and of course supporting independence while being physically active!

Kate Healy explains the physio team has received “fantastic feedback” from children who trialled the Innowalk.

She said, “The Physio Team received fantastic feedback from the children that trialled the Innowalk as well as their parents including better sleep, decreased pain with position change and the enjoyment of standing and moving independently.

“On review of the amazing feedback we received there was no way we couldn’t purchase an Innowalk and decided to complete a challenge that has never been done here in Ireland by a female. I’m delighted to get the opportunity to represent St. Gabriel’s with a super team behind me to fundraise for this life changing piece of equipment. I am so grateful for all of the support, shares, donations and well wishes.”

There are lots of ways that the public can row in behind Kate; they can sign up to be one of Kate’s rowing buddies by emailing [email protected] to register; they can donate online through the online donation page; they can their company to support Kate and can get tax relief on any charitable donation over €250; and you can turn up on the day and bring some Christmas cheer to keep Kate going and keep rowing!

Kate will be rowing live from the atrium of the Crescent Shopping Centre from 11am on Friday November 29th until 11am on Saturday 30th. Visitors to the shopping centre will be able to watch the World Record live as they shop.

Marketing Manager Eimear Dwan was delighted to support the world record attempt and a very worthy charity.

Eimear said, “The Crescent Shopping Centre is steeped in community so when we heard about this fundraiser that St. Gabriel’s were holding, we were delighted to be able to facilitate it on site.

“It’s taking place on Black Friday in the heart of the centre and we hope that all our visitors take a moment to see what Kate is achieving and all she is doing to help the children she is working with. It’s amazing and we wish her all the best. There is such goodwill from all the traders here and we know that everyone passing through here over the two days will give her plenty of support.”

There will be special guests, festive music and plenty of Christmas cheer so please stop by as you’d never know who you’ll meet…

St. Gabriel’s also extended a huge thanks to Park Lodge Medical Centre who got the project off the ground earlier this year and “Kate will now finish off what they started.

For further information and updates about the fundraiser check out the St. Gabriel’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

DONATE HERE

DAY 2

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

DAY 1

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick