This coole christmas is about caring and carers
There’s no better opportunity to burn off every sinful calorie you consume over Christmas than the Coole 5k and 10k runs on Sunday December 28. The events, which will take runners and walkers through the stunning countryside of north Westmeath, is raising money for the Carers Association.
“The Coole Committee has been fundraising for the Carers Association for a decade and this small rural community have raised over €60,000,” said Denise Nolan, Carers Association, at the launch of the runs in Meehan’s, Coole.
“That money is all used locally to support carers in Longford and Westmeath it helps us to provide crucial services such as in-house respite”
The Carers Association is Ireland’s national voluntary organisation for and of family carers in the home. Family carers provide high levels of care to a range of people including frail older people, those with severe disabilities, the terminally ill and children with special needs.
“Carers in the home save the state billions and they do not get the recognition they deserve. Often they are left to themselves to care in the home 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"They do not recognise the incredible work they do as work because they believe it to be their duty and they often give up their work, their free time, their own lives to care.
"So the work we do includes providing respite, recognising how socially isolating and lonely this work can be, providing support, providing training and lobbying the government to recognise the work of carers and put services in place for them,” explained Denise.
“The association was established in 1987 to lobby and advocate on behalf of carers. While the government has begun to initiate some services for carers, we believe that the vast majority of Ireland’s family carers still remain without vital services.
"These services, such as in-home respite, are essential to family carers. They allow us to continue in our roles as family carers, which is actually implementing a government policy to care for people in their own homes for as long as possible.”
The 5k route for the Coole Christmas Run starts in Castlepollard and finishes in Coole. The 10k starts in Castlepollard too, on the Finea side of the square, up to Lickbla and then left across the scenic cross country road to Coole. Entries can register on the day or at runireland.com. (See also: active.com/castlepollard-westmeath/running/races/coole-5k-and-10k-fun-walk-run-2014)
“Our office is at 5 St John’s Terrace Blackhall Place, Mullingar and anyone who needs our help or would like advice is welcome to come in and speak to us. I hope everyone will turn out for this fantastic Christmas Run, which I am told you can walk too and lots of people will be out for the walk, on Sunday 28th.
“I have to say a big thanks to the organising committee out here and Mary Burke who started all this 10 years ago. They are just brilliant and the money they help raise does so much good,” said Denise.