Oireachtas walk from Dublin to Navan for Aware this weekend
Oireachtas members and staff from across all parties are set to embark on a 60km walk from Dublin to Navan to promote mental health wellness this week.
The ‘See the Light’ walk in aid of Aware will take place this coming Friday and Saturday, 27th and 28th September. The walk will start on Friday at 10am at Leinster House and finish at the Newgrange Hotel in Navan on Saturday afternoon.
Minister Simon Coveney TD; Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe TD; Deputies Helen McEntee and Áine Collins; and Amo Sayed from Aware launched the walk this week. ‘See the Light’ aims to raise awareness of the supports available to those requiring advice or help in coping with mental health issues and also aims to raise funds for the Aware organisation.
Minister Coveney said: 'Depression affects more than 450,000 people in Ireland at any one time. That’s one in ten of us. Any of us, irrespective of age, gender or background, can be affected by it at some point in our life. Agencies like Aware do fantastic work in raising awareness about mental health issues and supporting people with depression.'
Deputy McEntee said: 'I am delighted to support this initiative which has been organised by the staff at Leinster House who wanted to do something to raise awareness and funds for depression and other mental health conditions. Organisations like Aware are hugely important in reaching out to people who are dealing with depression and other mental health conditions.”
Amo Sayed, Head of Business Development and Fundraising at Aware, said: “Aware relies on events like this for 90 per cent of its annual funding in order to deliver its depression support, education and information services right across the country. We are delighted that members of the Oireachtas are getting involved in supporting Aware during its national fundraising week and also creating awareness and openness around what is a really common issue that affects so many people in Ireland today.”
Day One: Friday 27th September 2013
Section 1: Leinster House to Phoenix Park
Distance: 9Km. Duration: 2Hrs.
Starting time: 10:00am
Meeting Point: Leinster House, Kildare Street
Section 2: Phoenix Park to Blanchardstown.
Distance: 6Km. Duration: 1Hr 15Mins
Starting Time: 12:15pm
Meeting Point: Gates of Phoenix Park Visitors Centre
Section 3: Blanchardstown to Dunboyne.
Distance: 8 KM. Duration: 1Hr 40 Mins
Starting Time: 1:45pm
Meeting Point: Ebay Building
Day Two: Saturday 28th September 2013
Section 4: Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne to Slane.
Distance: 23Km. Duration: 4Hrs 30 Mins
Starting Time: 9am
Meeting Point: Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne
Section 5: Slane to Navan. (Newgrange Hotel)
Distance: 12Km. Duration: 2Hrs
Starting Time: 2:30pm
Meeting Point: Conyngham Arms Hotel Slane