No need for jackets at Rathvilly walkathon
Gerry Gavin, secretary of Rathvilly GAA, and Anto Doyle pictured during the walkathon Photo: Michael O'Rourke Photography
THE 24-hour sponsored walkathon around Rathvilly GAA pitches in aid of Rathvilly GAA Club and Rathvilly Schoolhouse building renovations was a resounding success.
“It was a lovely community event with great participation from all ages and abilities,” said Anna Deering, one of the event’s organisers, who also sits on the Rathvilly Schoolhouse and Enterprise Centre Committee.
The walkathon was split up by hour, with each hour having a different team leader who recruited others to join them for that hour and who was tasked with soliciting donations. The event was sponsored by the Tullow Credit Union.
“We were pretty lucky with the weather,” Anna said, “I was out at one o’clock in the morning and it was lovely. You didn’t need a coat or anything.”
While Anna and the other organisers are unsure about how much they have raised in total as donations are still coming in, she is confident that they have made significant strides towards reaching the committee’s goal of €20,000 to renovate the old Rathvilly Schoolhouse into a community centre. Rathvilly GAA is also fundraising to build a new indoor facility.
One of the best things to come out of the event, according to Anna, was to raise awareness in the community about both projects.
“Anybody I have been speaking to just said that it was really nice. It was an hour that you were walking around and chatting to people,” Anna said.
During the event, Rathvilly GAA left the outdoor floodlights on to guide walkers, left the GAA building open so people could use the facilities and inside there were light refreshments provided.
Fundraising for the renovation of the old Rathvilly Schoolhouse will continue with a concert in St Patrick’s Church, Rathvilly at the end of November.
