Walk in support of Belmont Eir worker

A fundraising walk from Clonbonny, Athlone, to the Clonmacnois monastic site will take place on Saturday week, November 10.

The event is one of a series of fundraisers organised in support of Hugh Mannion, an Athlone-based Eir technician and father-of-three who was paralysed from the waist down in a work-related accident after Storm Ophelia last year.

The first of the fundraising events organised by colleagues of the Belmont, Offaly, native was a well-attended concert in Ballinasloe's Shearwater Hotel in mid-October.

Flan Barnwell, a former colleague of Mr Mannion, said the upcoming walk would also help raise awareness of plans which are currently being developed for a permanent pilgrim's trail route between Athlone and Clonmacnois.

The assembly point for the walk on Saturday, November 10, is the multi-storey car park in St Mary's Square, Athlone, at 10am. Car parking will be available there at a cost of €1 for the day, and a bus service to Clonbonny will be provided.

The walk will be 14 kilometres in total, and suitable clothing and footwear should be worn. Afterwards, a bus will take the walkers to Lukers in Shannonbridge where refreshments and music will be provided.

A return bus to Athlone will also be provided in time for the car park closing at 6.30pm.

A minimum of €25 sponsorship will be required to take part in the walk.