Donegal Camino smashes previous record raising over €80k for Cancer Care West
The week-long event is fast becoming one of the most popular fundraisers in the calendar
Over €80k was raised at this year's event
519 people took part between September 3-9
The third official Donegal Camino has raised a whopping €82,155 for Cancer Care West Support Services in Donegal.
The impressive donation brings to €157,150 the funds raised by the Peggy Stringer-inspired 7-day walking festival.
Taking place in the first week of September, 519 people walked the stunning landscape of Donegal over the 7 days with an average of 75 people walking each day.
Walkers from as far away as North America, New Zealand, France, the UK and Scotland joined walkers from all over Ireland, Donegal and Northern Ireland.
519 people took part between September 3-9
Considered an experience of people, the Donegal Camino has a unique atmosphere which combines camaraderie and fun with world class walking, hiking and Donegal hospitality.
The guides led by award winning John Mc Groary of John’s Walking Ireland safely guided the group over contrasting landscapes while encouraging everyone to get to know each other, share stories, host impromptu singsongs or poetry recitations thus ensuring another warm, embracing and welcoming atmosphere on Donegal Camino 2023. While growing as a 7 day walking festival this unique Camino continues to maintain an intimate atmosphere where friends reconnect annually and new friends are made.
“It’s a cliché to say I’m blown away, but literally I am,” says founder and Donegal Camino visionary, Peggy Stringer, who hails from Carndonagh, Inishowen while now residing in Dublin.
“2023 saw huge growth on every level of the Donegal Camino, from the numbers who walked, to the people who got involved and volunteered and to those who donated and fundraised. €82,155 (a donation of €1500 came in after the photo was taken) is a phenomenal amount of money to raise for Cancer Care West this year, as we’re still a very young event on Donegal’s Tourism Calendar. We’re all so very proud of our efforts and so grateful to everyone who joined and supported us.”
From Malin Head on the opening ‘Camino Sunday’, the Donegal Camino weaved its away across to the breath taking Knockalla Hills, followed by a gorgeous day on the coastal loop of Horn Head on the Wild Atlantic Way. Donegal’s Mickey Joe Harte, serenaded walkers on Horn Head with multiple sing songs en route and many walkers joined Noel Cunningham in a few dances as the sun shone down on everyone.
The highlight of the 2023 Donegal Camino was certainly the sunrise climb of Errigal when 72 walkers stepped up at 4.30am to climb in single file under as the star light Donegal sky. An emotional climb of Errigal was made even more poignant with the haunting fiddle playing of the talented composer Matt Mc Granahan who climbed with the group and played on the summit where walkers hugged and shed their personal load along with many personal tears.
The waves of Tory were certainly lively as walkers took to the dancefloor of Club Toraigh for what was a rousing night of set dancing, music, song and craic which was followed by a day of sightseeing on the unique Gaeltacht island. The final two days of the 2023 Donegal Camino took in the magic of the Assaranka Waterfall and Granny Glen before the grand finale on Europe’s highest sea cliffs, Sliabh Liag.
Richard Flaherty, CEO of Cancer Care West, said “The Donegal Camino is now our biggest fundraiser supporting our Donegal services. We thank everyone for the fantastic success of the event this year. We know how difficult fundraising is currently and the amount of effort & time that is required to reach this figure and we are extremely grateful for all your individual contributions. We are very proud of our centre in Donegal and we have important plans to increase the range of services provided in the centre in 2024 to meet the ever-increasing demands. These funds are crucial to allow us to do all of this.
The Donegal Camino Committee includes founder Peggy Stringer, Deirdre McGlone, former owner of Harvey’s Point, Cancer Care West Board Member and Harvey’s Point Ambassador, Noel Cunningham, Noreen D’Arcy of D’Arcy Marketing & PR who has strong Donegal Family connections and Donegal Businessman, John Mc Namara of Sendmode.
The Donegal Camino will soon announce details and dates of the 2024 Donegal Camino. Stay Tuned to www.donegalcamino.ie and social media channels @donegalcamino for more details.
