Wicklow family complete Camino challenge for night nurses

Teresa, Monica, and Siobhán Byrne from Byrne’s Londis in Aughrim completed a 22km charity Camino challenge in Wicklow. The walk began at Laragh GAA Club, passed through Glendalough, and ended at Lynham’s of Laragh Hotel, where participants gathered afterward. The event was part of a national fundraising initiative by Londis retailers supporting Irish Hospice Foundation. Funds raised went to the Nurses for Night Care service, which provides overnight nursing care to people at end of life in their own homes across Ireland. Caoimhe Byrne described the walk as fairly strenuous but noted her mother’s regular long-distance walking. She said the day brought camaraderie, good weather, and strong community support, with over €2,000 raised from their shop alone.

"Teresa, Monica and Siobhán Byrne took part in the Londis Irish Camino Challenge, joining retailers, staff, family members and friends from Londis stores across the country for the charity hike beginning at Laragh GAA Club, through Glendalough and concluding at Lynham's of Laragh Hotel, where participants gathered afterwards."

"The challenge formed part of a national fundraising initiative by Londis retailers in support of Irish Hospice Foundation, with funds raised going towards the Nurses for Night Care service, which provides overnight nursing care to people at end of life in their own homes across Ireland and relies on fundraising and donations to operate."

"“It was a good long walk and fairly strenuous, but my mother - in her 77th year - would walk 16 or 17k every Sunday, so she was well able for it,” she said. “They all met up in Laragh at the end of the walk, and there was great camaraderie. People were delighted with the day. It was a bit of fun and bonding for a great charity."

"“We got over €2,000 just from our shop alone and I suppose all the Londis retailers from around the country probably have a similar amount,” she said. “That'll amount to a fairly sizeable total for the hospice night nurses. “We were delighted with the amount of sponsorship - people were very willing to give.”"

Read at Irish Independent