Walking from Enfield to the North Pole

Anybody ever travelled to the North Pole? Well now a new fund-raising drive with a strong Christmas theme is going to make a trip to that part of the world something of a reality - kind of.

Members of Na Fianna CLG are behind an innovative drive to raise funds for a walkway around the club's pitch in Enfield with the aim of providing a much-needed facility for the local community.

As part of a fund-raising exercise people are encouraged to participate in the walk that is, distance wise, the equivalent of stepping it out from Enfield to the North Pole with the objective of generating funds by attracting sponsors. Each person who becomes involved in the challenge can do their steps where they wish.

One of the chief driving forces behind the imaginative venture is local woman Eilish Devine who is the chairperson of the Na Fianna club.

"Have you ever tried to walk for exercise or pleasure during the winter months around Enfield?" she asks. "The area is rich in walk-ways along the canal, around the ring road or on any of the minor roads surrounding the village, but only if you can use them during the day. After 4pm from the end of October to March it is nearly impossible to find an area safe, with lights and available."

With the permission of the Na Fianna Executive Committee planning permission was obtained for the walkway around the pitch with lighting so that people in the community could use it all the year round.

A grant of €22,000 was obtained with the proviso that the track would be built by September 2021. However, the overall cost of the project is estimated at €140,000. "So, the work of fundraising must begin now so that the grant money can be used," the club chairperson added.

"So, from Tuesday, Ist December 1st to Saturday 12th December 2020 Na Fianna CLG want to walk to the North Pole. It takes 5,600,000 steps between Enfield and Santa’s House. By walking this number of steps, it will create special magic to deliver letters to Santa. It’s a sponsored walk but with a theme."

"We are looking for anyone from the Community who can walk or run during these 12 days to clock up as many steps as possible. We would like you to contact us and to ask your family, your friends, those at work or from the Community to sponsor you so we can begin to get Enfield moving and to build a healthier locality by building the Walkway. Together we can walk 5,600,000 steps.?

"Please sign up and support this project to enable Enfield to become a healthier community."

Those looking to help out can contact Eilish on (086) 1426293 for further details

* On December 12th there will be a special post box at the Na Fianna grounds where people will be able to post your letters to Santa. Watch for further information regarding this.