Thank you for the role you play in all these stories. Without your support we wouldn't have been able to reach so many and to improve their quality of life.
​Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
Never forget

With thanks to Riverside Cycling Club's generous donation from their cycle event in April we were able to purchase four new bicycles for the workers. Although in need of more they were very excited and full of gratitude for these new bicycles to ease their journeys and ensuring care for vulnerable local people.

A huge thank you to Tom Nestor and all at Riverside Cycling Club along with all the participants of their fantastic annual event that raises incredible funds for various charities. ​We were delighted to be apart of this event again this year. Always a fantastic day.

The team of nine are all very experienced climbers, some have taken part in the Caitríona Lucas challenges before, others are taking it on for the first time. 

Best wishes and our sincerest thanks to Bernard Lucas, Emma Lucas, Christopher Slattery, Eoin Keane, Colm Cleary, Roberto Barcena, Cathal Malone, Ciara Fitzhenry and Eric Casey.

​The team will be climbing Timeguid 4089 m, Akioud 4035 m and Toubkal 4167 m.

We deeply appreciate the teams support of our on going projects and likewise we are truly grateful for all your support of this fundraiser.

Make sure to follow The Caitríona Lucas Challenge on Facebook for more updates. Share the word of this challenege with your loved ones and please support if you can.

We were very lucky on the day to have such lovely weather. 

62 swimmers took on the challenging 3km swim across the bay. This year we truly had swimmers of all ages, Pat himself came out of retirement to swim with his 10 year old grandson Finn. Finn is the youngest ever participant of this event, he was training very hard in the run up to the big day and was thrilled to be swimming with his grandad and continuing on the family tradition. 

Of course an event like this wouldn't be possible without the support of so many volunteers. We had a couple dozen volunteers both on shore and on the water. A huge thank you to all the water safety crew - coastguard, support boats, kayaks and lifeguards. Thank you for keeping everyone safe on the day.
To all our bucket shakers and fundraisers, and of course a massive thank you to the crowds of people who came out to cheer on our swimmers both on the prom at Lahinch and at Liscannor pier. The smiles, the cheers, the posters, the doggos, the atmosphere is always very special.

Just this week we have the final tally of €19,760. An absolutely incredible amount raised. Thank you to one and all who contributed funds. People online, visitors, locals, and to all the local shops and businesses in Lahinch and Ennistymon, your generosity and sponsorship are truly appreciated. 
​
Once again, we can't thank you enough for your continued support of such a great community event.
Looking forward to next year, we'll keep you posted on dates.

There were also some special visitors who came to entertain our VIP guests, lots of squeals of excitement and laughter. We celebrated Lida's birthday in style with a giant dancing Polar bear!

The girls and Vanya were very sad to leave us and head back home but they brought with them lots of great memories and stories to tell their friends.

A huge thank you to all who made this happen; our team on the ground, Irina, Tamara and Yuri, the carers who travelled and minded our guests, but mostly to all of you, who contributed to our Camino fundraiser without whom this wouldn't have been possible. In an ever challenging world for many, your continued support truly means so much. To be able to brings smiles, laughter and memories is no small thing. Thank you!

This is always a much loved experience for our friends, even more so in recent years with restrictions on volunteers. These weeks are an opportunity for them to get some respite from life in Gorodishche, and to explore and experience some exciting activities in their capital city. Some that we too would consider great treats, others more simple but equally exciting for them (a visit to McDonalds or the like!) 

Best of luck to Liam as he gets his last bit of training in before heading off to begin his Camino. ​
Buen Camino Liam! 
Thank you everyone! Please keep sharing  
 

Ambulare: from the Latin, meaning: to walk
Peregrinatio: to understand life as a temporary journey here on Earth on the way to an everlasting life, a journey to God: Pilgrimage

I have read that if you think you are a leader but no one is following you,
Then, you are only out for a walk.

A big time section of my temporary life here on Earth
has been taken up by the children and adults in special needs orphanages in
Belarus. Since 1993, or thereabout, I have been somewhat involved with them.
Since the Millennium year 2000, I have been more fully involved.

At times, on my walk through these orphanages,
I had thought about doing an art exhibition,
showing pictures of the people I have met in the orphanages;
people in pain and suffering, twisted and broken,
lying prone, some in glassy staring.
I would have called this exhibition: The Image of God.

Now as I prepare to take off on a long walk on The Camino
I try to find who it is I have been following;
Or, was I only on a long walk on my own.
I will carry these images of the image of God with me
and these children and adults, my friends will walk with me
and accompany me on the way,
for whatever distance I shall last.

Buen Camino.

The image of God