The ‘Well Girl’ walk – celebrating International Women’s Day

The final event of the International Women’s Day Festival was the ‘Well Girl’ walk on Sunday 8th March, International Women’s Day, a fundraising event for the Women’s Centre. 

Local singer and member of the Mount Sion Choir, Angel, entertained the large crowd that gathered in the WIT Arena Greenway car park from 10 am onwards.  Local MEP Grace O’Sullivan addressed the gathering and praised the work of the Women’s Centre over the past 25 years and was delighted to launch the first ever ‘Well Girl’ walk on International Women’s Day.  Grace and Olympian walker, Kate Veale, World Youth Champion, Irish record holder and European Cup medallist, together led the walkers on the 7 km walk from the car park to the Greenway on to Mount Congreve Gardens and back.

In excess of 300 walkers registered in the WIT Arena Greenway Carpark on the day.  Thanks to WIT Arena Manager John Windle for supporting the event.  It was a social occasion and a walk for all the family with sunshine all the way.   Many used it as an opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Day with a walk together with friends or other groups they belonged to.  Many current and past participants, staff and parents of the Women’s Centre and Childcare Service along with family and friends, turned out in numbers to provide very welcome support.  The weather was in our favour and remained dry and sunny almost till the end.  The donation of gazebo, chairs and tables were much appreciated, and thanks to Clem Jacob Hire for keeping the team dry at the end of the day. 

A big thanks to all who made the day such a success; the fundraising team: Maureen Tobin, Liz Heffernan, Catherine Drea, Catherine McNena and Alison Langford;  to those who helped on the day, Pat Tobin, Ann Kavanagh, Tony Grey, Mary Langford and John Grey. 

All were kept safe and sound by the presence of Civil Defence which was much appreciated.  When the walkers returned to the car park drinks were provided compliments of Lidl and beautiful fresh fruit from Iverk Produce, Piltown. 

Thanks to Graphic Image and Claire O’Donovan Design for the Well Girl poster.  WLR FM and BEAT 102-103 gave great coverage before the walk and all the Festival events as did Waterford in Your Pocket.  Thanks also to the RSC for the Hi-vis vests and to the staff from Apple who along with team leader, Niamh Ivory, volunteered on the day. A massive thanks to all who walked in this the first of what we hope will become an annual event.