Get your walking gear on and join kind-hearted Bríd Sweeney

A kind-hearted Loughanure woman who has walked every single day this year despite illness, ice, snow and storms to raise money for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust has urged people who are struggling to reach out  to someone and seek support and help.  

Tomorrow, December 31, will mark Bríd’s final walk for this year’s fundraising initiative. To date, Bríd has raised €17,350 for the vital fund which helps people bring their loved ones who have passed away in another country or continent home to their families.  

Bríd will begin her walk at 1pm at Casadh an tSúgáin in Loughanure. It is hoped that people will come out and join her for her final walk of the year. The walk will be six kilometres in total.

Bríd Sweeney raises over €17,000 for Kevin Bell Trust

A massive crowd attended an emotional night in Casadh an tSúgáin

Bríd walked varying distances each day. She loves to walk and enjoys all the benefits of the activity. Bríd walked between 5 and twelve kilometres daily over the course of the year. She also walked in 2021 and raised money for her local community to build a monument and a memorial garden in memory of those who passed away tragically and suddenly.  

“When the weather was good, at times, I’d go walking and forget to come home again. I really enjoy walking. It is free and easy and I feel great after,” she said. 

Bríd insists that if you wear the right clothes you can walk in any type of weather. 

Bríd works in an office and each day waits in anticipation for her walk. On one occasion this year, Bríd was ill and feeling under the weather. However, she didn’t let the illness stop her from completing her challenge. 

“It was hard but I got out of bed, wearing my pyjamas, put on a big coat and went out walking. It was a daily challenge and one that I wanted to complete so I did it. I would do it again. I will walk again next year but I am not going to raise money. I would like to give people who were so kind and generous to me a break. Next year, I would like to walk for wellbeing and mental health but I am not going to do it for money. I would like to do it in support of people who are struggling with mental health issues,” she said. 

She encouraged people who are struggling with mental health issues or any other issue that is weighing heavily on their mind to speak to people and seek support. 

At times, when she feels sad she makes the effort to think of all the beautiful things in her life - things she is grateful for and that makes her feel better.

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“It takes me out of the hole I am in,” she said. 

She is hoping people will join her on her final walk tomorrow so if you have some time to spare, get your walking gear on and join Bríd on her final and momentous journey of 2022.