Kildalkey sisters team up for US charity walk

Kildalkey sisters Bebhinn and Saidhbe Farrell, will join their New York based sister Ciara to take on the Avon 39 charity walk in Santa Barbara next month to raise funds for breast cancer research.
One of the biggest fundraisers in the States, Avon 39 walks take place in Houston, New York, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and Washington DC, each year as well as the Santa Barbara event the Farrells have signed up for.
They will be joined by Ciara’s friend Ann O’Reilly, originally from Skyrne, but now living in San Francisco, and Edel O’Gorman from Laois, who also lives in San Francisco. The five ladies make up 'Team Irish Cailíní’ who will take on the 39-mile walk - one and a half marathons - in Santa Barbara on 10th and 11th September.
Funds raised go to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade which aims to raise awareness and assist in the prevention of breast cancer and support research to ultimately improve breast cancer outcomes.
“I come from a large family of women so I am walking every step of the 39 miles for my mother, my sisters, my niece, aunties and cousins and every one of my fabulous female friends,” said Saidhbe, who is the youngest of seven girls.
Dad Terry is surrounded by women - between wife Annette and daughters Niamh, Séona, Ciara, Aoife, Bebhinn, Aoibheann and Saidbhe - he is well outnumbered.
Saidhbe (30) who is the youngest in the family also said niece Abigail (29) is like an eighth sister.
Ciara has lived in New York for over 20 years where she works as a painter and decorator having completed her apprenticeship with dad Terry. Ciara did her first Avon 39 walk seven years ago and has completed walks in Santa Barbara, Boston, New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco.

Ann O'Reilly and Ciara Farrell after competing in a previous Avon 39 walk

“Myself and Bebhinn were going to New York to see our sister Ciara. She has done a number of the Avon 39 walks and was doing one this year. We were going over on holidays and decided we would do the walk as well,” explained Saidhbe.
“It is one of the biggest fundraisers in America,” she added.
A gruelling 39 miles, the team will walk 26 miles the first day and 13 the second. The first day should take about 6-7 hours and the second day will take about four hours with huge numbers of spectators coming out for the final leg to cheer on the participants.
“In preparation. myself and Bebhinn have been walking three times a week and we have also been training five times a week with Ciaran Clusker of 'The Fundamental Body’”, adds Saidhbe.
As part of their fundraising drive, Saidhbe and Bebhinn are holding a barbecue fundraiser night in Jack Quinn’s, Scurlogstown, on 13th August.
“There will be scrumptious food, courtesy of Kepak, fantastic music by Davy Harrison and an amazing raffle on the night with some very generous spot prizes donated by local businesses,” said Saidhbe.
They have also organised a charity bootcamp for the month of August.
“Ciaran Clusker of 'The Fundamental Body Trim’ has kindly put this on for us. It’s on a Tuesday and Thursday evening at 6pm in Oaktree Business Park. Anyone can come along all we ask is a small donation to our cause.”
Their target is €1,800 each with the funds raised going towards cancer research.
While Saidhbe said she hasn’t done anything as long as this before, she is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve done the mini-marathon before but I haven’t done anything that long. It will be challenging but it will be exciting as well. I am really looking forward to getting over there. It is meant to be amazing.”
As well as the barbecue night and bootcamp fundraisers you can also support Saidhbe and Bebhinn on a gofund me page:

www.gofundme.com/avon39santabarbara