Kilkenny handball legend Michael Ducksie Walsh will lead a charity walk of Croagh Patrick in aid of The Kilkenny O’Neill Centre on May 23. Along with legends DJ Carey, John Leahy, Joe Hennessy, Noel Skehan, and two bus-loads of local people the trek is certain to be a fun day out.
Ducksie has been invloved in charity events for the past six years and this time he wanted to do something closer to home.
"I know the O’Neill Centre very well and this building used to be the school I attended," he said. "I was born in The Butts and obviously my heart wanted to help somewhere closer to home. I decided this year, instead of a handball event, I would get a few GAA All-Stars together and climb Croagh Patrick.
"It’s not about who gets there first or a competition, it’s a day out and hopefully we will raise enough funds. I have two buses running on the day which will be full of people who have sold sponsor cards to take part in the walk — we are still looking for more people to come on board. The O’Neill Centre needs up to €170,000 in funding each year and any bit of help we can do I’m happy to be part of that."
DJ Carey is another All-Star taking part in the walk for the O’Neill Centre.
"Ducksie asked me to help out," he said. "No-one ever says no to Ducksie and in fairness I wouldn’t want to!
"I’ve been involved with the centre myself since my early days of playing with Kilkenny," he said. "I know how hard the people work here and the wonderful work that goes one. We need a place like the O’Neill Centre, while many people are lucky to have fully healthy children they still understand that it’s a task to raise even a healthy child at times so for a child with special needs it’s 24-7. I know parents don’t mind that but it’s still hard at times so any extra help is neccessary."
This is true for Claire Brown, whose five-year-old son Oscar attends the O’Neill Centre.
"Oscar has been in the centre for the past two years and they are fantastic with him," she said. "Since his time in the centre Oscar’s speech and skills have really improved, and he’s such a happy healthy boy, now he’s no different than an ordinary five-year-old."
Henry Shefflin decided to help out in the launching of the walk and was very much behind the cause.
"I came here today to help raise awareness on the wonderful work the centre does," he said. "While I cannot take part in the walk myself due to hurling commitments I would encourage anyone who could to get out there and do it. The centre houses over 100 children and the work the centre does is fantastic and we need to keep encouraging funding to help this centre stay strong."
Services provided at the centre include pre school service, physiotherapy, pschyology, occupational therapy and a social worker. Further information is available from the centre on 056 7762399 or email info@enableireland.ie
