Barefield will be the location on Sunday next, April 28th for a special fun-run and family walk as Clare people join ranks to help raise funds towards a Ugandan hospice and a pre-school for orphans.
The event is the brainchild of local man John Conroy, who will lead a group of 15 volunteers from the area this summer to work on the two projects in Uganda.
Sundayâs walk is the main fundraiser for these projects, which will see the proceeds go towards the Hospice Jinja and the purchase of a site and construction costs for a new pre-school for 90 orphan children.
John has been volunteering in Africa for the past 10 years, concentrating in Uganda for the past number of years. He is on the board of directors with Hospice Jinja which was founded by retired G.P.’s Dr Frank and Patricia Hassett from Ennis.
Speaking about the Hospice Mr Conroy said: âItâs a palliative care service that deals with end stage cancer and HIVÂ and was founded in 2005 covering an area of 10,000 km2 with a population of 3.5 million.
âSince its establishment 13 years ago, over150,000 patients and families have been assisted by the hospice team. For the average Ugandan there is no radiotherapy or chemotherapy as the population cannot afford it, so once people are diagnosed with cancer, they are simply biding their time. Now, thanks to the project, 17 local staff are employed to offer care.â
John also volunteers with Soft Power Education, a British charity and Ugandan NGO working with communities in Uganda to improve quality of life through education.
âThe schoolâs Special Educational Needs Programme works with over 140Â families with children with disabilities providing access to free physiotherapy, occupational therapy, specialised teaching and parental support.â
Registration on Sunday is at Hassettâs and costs âĴ10 per person, âĴ20 per family, and there will be prizes on the day, including a prize for first buggy home!
There will be face painting and a DJ and post-race/run refreshments also.