Walking the Memorial Walk – from the very start

Nobody has a greater insight into the world that Galway Hospice do every day of the year than the centre’s own day care manager Lesley Carroll – and that’s why she and fellow staff participate every year in the Memorial Walk that helps keep their service going.

Lesley herself has taken part in every one of the walks during the last 17 years – and she says it’s a very special day for staff.

“I wouldn’t miss it. I walk in memory of the day care patients. We try to time ourselves to see how long it takes to do it but there are too many stops along the way as we chat to people we haven’t seen in a while, so many families who have used the hospice,” she says.

She and her colleagues are urging the people of Galway to register for this year’s Memorial Walk which returns to the Prom on Sunday week, after a three-year Covid-enforced break.

One the biggest annual fundraisers for the Galway Hospice, the event normally attracted at least 1,000 people who walked in memory of lost loved ones from the Claddagh to Blackrock in Salthill and back again.

But this year, so far, the number of people who have registered is alarmingly low.

Donning t-shirts bearing the names of those who are being remembered, there has always been a carnival atmosphere marking Memorial Walk Sunday over the 6.5km distance, reveals hospice day care manager Lesley.

“It’s the first year since the Pandemic we’re back on the Prom so it’s probably not on everyone’s radar. But it’s a fantastic event,” she says.

The walk takes place on Sunday, September 11, meeting at the Claddagh Hall at midday.

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To register for the Galway Memorial Walk, go to www.galwayhospice.ie/walk or call 091-770 868.