Donegal Camino raises an incredible €122k for Cancer Care West Support Centre

The 2024 Donegal Camino smashed all its targets with a whopping €122,145.30 raised for the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny, smashing its target of €100,000.

The Camino took place in the first week of September and funds raised increased by €39,990.30 from 2023 and this brings to €279,295.30 the funds raised by Donegal Camino for the Cancer Care West Support Centre since the first steps were taken by founder Peggy Stringer in Malin Head in 2020.

“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this year’s Donegal Camino fundraising event such a success. To our dedicated organisers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and to each and every participant who walked with us – thank you for your incredible support and commitment”, said Richard Flaherty CEO of Cancer Care West.

“This is a truly unique event that brings people from all walks of life together to share an unforgettable journey and support a cause that matters to us all. Thanks to the event's success, we can continue our vital work, bringing hope and support to Donegal cancer patients and their families. We’re already looking forward to next year’s Camino, where we can join again to create a lasting impact.”

The funds raised by the Donegal Camino have gone directly to the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny where they’ve been used to increase the availability of counselling services and support programmes to include pilates, reflexology and relaxation classes amongst other services for those on a cancer journey in Donegal.

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“We’re beyond proud of our contribution to the Cancer Care West, Donegal Support Centre in Letterkenny”, added Donegal Camino Chair, Noel Cunningham, who also sits on the board of Cancer Care West.

“The unfortunate reality is that cancer diagnosis is becoming more widespread and especially here in Donegal and our focus on the Donegal Camino is to continue our mission to raise much-needed funds for the Cancer Care West Support Centre to support our Donegal families, neighbours and friends on their cancer journey, while also profiling the stunning walks and hikes we have in our beautiful county under the umbrella of the Donegal Camino.”

Some 735 people from across the island of Ireland, overseas walkers from the UK, Scotland, France, and Australia, and a returning Donegal Camino fan from Rhode Island in North America walked the 2024 Donegal Camino.

The daily average was 105 walkers and on many days the numbers registered exceeded the targets such was the popularity of the chosen walks. Many of Donegal’s most spectacular walking routes, including Malin Head in Inishowen, Ards Forest Park, Dún Luiche which replaced Errigal due to inclement weather conditions, were featured. Oileáin na Cruite, Cruit Island saw walkers walk on water in spectacular scenes while Mickey Joe Harte serenaded walkers on the Gay Byrne Trail and Crohy Head. The Bluestack Way led walkers into Donegal Town as part of the Donegal 550 milestone while again record numbers took to the Pilgrims Path for a sun-kissed finale on Europe’s Highest Sea Cliffs, Sliabh Liag. Walkers were treated to the magical tunes of the Inishowen Collective, fiddler and composer Matt McGranaghan and the wonderful Onóir over the seven days of the Donegal Camino.

“I continue to be humbled by the annual growth of the Donegal Camino”, said founder Peggy Stringer originally from Inishowen. “The Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny has a huge demand for its services and we’re delighted to be able to support them grow their services and supports with the work of the Donegal Camino.

“We thank each of our walkers who tirelessly fundraised and walked, our sponsors, partners, funders, guides and the phenomenal volunteers, singers, musicians and communities who gave so generously to the cause of the Donegal Camino and the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny in 2024.”

Donegal Camino would like to thank all of its partners, funders, sponsors, donators, volunteers, and supporters but above all the walkers who registered, walked and fundraised so tirelessly to collectively deliver a donation of €122,145.30. All funds are going directly to a most worthy cause, cancer patients and their families in Donegal.

Now an annual seven-day walking festival, the Donegal Camino will open on what is now firmly known as Camino Sunday and the 2025 dates are Donegal Camino Sunday 31st August to Saturday 6th of September 2025. Work is well underway on the route for the 5th Donegal Camino which will be announced in the New Year. If you would like to get involved as a volunteer, fundraiser, supporter, sponsor or partner, please do contact Chair Noel Cunningham or Founder Peggy Stringer. Details are on the website, www.donegalcamino.ie.

The Donegal Camino is operated by a voluntary committee which includes Chair Noel Cunningham, founder Peggy Stringer, founding committee member Deirdre McGlone formerly Harvey’s Point and now Le Moulin sur Célé in France, her son Carl Gysling, Michael Cullinane, Financial Controller Harvey’s Point and businessman John McNamara, Sendmode. Noreen D’Arcy, D’Arcy Marketing &PR is the project and PR manager, while Galway-based Noreen has strong Donegal family links.