Lough Gur to Bruff Walk raises funds and awareness for charities

Lough Gur to Bruff walk in support of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House was part of the Climb with Charlie Bird initiative.

60 walkers raised €1,250 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, Pieta House and Climb with Charlie Bird

We all need to hear good news from time to time, and this is one story that will warm your heart. In recent months, the addition of a new physical link has forged new social connections between the communities of Lough Gur and Bruff. On Saturday, April 2 at 10 am, both communities united in a glorious Lough Gur to Bruff walk to raise funds for charities on a bitterly cold but bright Saturday morning. 

To start the day over 60 walkers gathered at the lakefront in Lough Gur with a common purpose to walk in solidarity with the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta House as part of the Climb with Charlie Bird initiatives taking place across Ireland. It can be said that this walk was an excellent way to raise awareness for both charities and a welcome opportunity to meet with friends and neighbours. The scheduled walk provided a safe environment to gather and catch up with old and new friends.

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At 10.45 am on the button, walkers arrived at Beechinor’s store at Holycross for a brief water stop and then made their way along the new link footpath to the start of the Slí na Sláinte for a brief photo to remember the day. The group of walkers set off again at pace to Bruff where they were welcomed there by members of BGM Community Council, the Bruff Heritage Group and residents. A special note of thanks was made to sponsors of refreshments for walkers on the day including Ishka, Nagle’s Eurospar, the Top Shop in Bruff and Bruff Credit Union. Walkers stayed a short while where smiles and banter were not in short supply before they returned back along the route to Lough Gur. The full 15km walk or c.17,000 steps on Saturday took three hours including stops for chats with community members.

On the day Councillor Brigid Teefy was there to support the walkers and commented, “The communities of Lough Gur, Holycross and Bruff are to be commended for organising this event to raise funds for two very worthy causes. Many of the walkers that I have met here today have said that junction upgrade works here have allowed them to enjoy regular walks from Bruff to Holycross. It is a great example of communities, local landowners and councils working together. Limerick City and County Council took on board and listened to what the communities and landowners asked for here and by all accounts, everyone is very pleased with the outcome so far. We look forward to further improvement works at this junction before the project is fully completed in May. The new upgrade works along the Slí na Sláinte have already commenced and will provide an improved surface for all walkers. Well done to all involved.”

Councillor PJ Carey was also in attendance and said, “This improved new walkway from Lough Gur to Bruff has many benefits that are clear to see in terms of road safety and accessibility for walkers. Another very important benefit of the Slí na Sláinte and junction upgrade works is improved physical and mental health for all who make the most of this new trail. Getting out and about, staying active and connecting with people in our communities are all ways to stay fit in every meaning of the word. It is a great boost to everyone here to be out in the fresh air and enjoying new and improved recreation amenities in this part of Limerick. Congratulations to the walk organisers for giving everyone a good opportunity to meet up all in the name of two very good causes”

Ending the day on a positive note, Manager for Lough Gur, Kate Harrold commented, “The walk started out as an event to raise funds for charities. However, the day was full of great moments that included meeting many generous people who took time out of their day to take part in the walk or just to appear at stop points along the way and offer their very kind words of support. One walker said on the day, this event shows that a single act of kindness creates a rippling effect. This was obvious on the day as both communities united for common causes. To all the generous people who took part and offered kind words, on behalf of Lough Gur Development and BGM Community Council we thank all of you”.

Ticket sales and donations made on the day totalled €1,250 and will be donated to the Climb with Charlie charities of choice via their iDonate page.

For more info on Lough Gur go HERE

For more stories on Lough Gur, go HERE