Great turn out for brain charity’s first walk

JUST over 100 people turned out for the first ever event staged by Brain Tumour Ireland in Marlay Park recently.

Brain Tumour Ireland was set up by the family of Ronnie Fehily, a one time resident of Sandyford.

Ronnie was an otherwise healthy and active 62-year-old mum of four, who died in January as a result of a brain tumour.

Ronnie’s family, many of whom live in Stepaside and Dundrum, chose Marlay Park as the venue for their first event, a charity walk designed to raise awareness of brain tumour incidence in Ireland.

Her sister, Sandra Doyle, said:

“Brain Tumour Ireland took part in the

‘Walk Around the World for Brain Tumours to help raise awareness of brain tumour incidence in Ireland.

“The Walk Around the World is an initiative of the International Brain Tumour Alliance, the idea being that participants donate symbolic miles from their walks to the alliance’s target of circling the earth.

“There is a perception that it is a rare disease but unfortunately the most recent figures from the National Cancer Registry show a yearly average of 372 brain tumour cases. We are delighted that just over 100 people turned out for our walk, donating 250 miles to the International Brain Tumour Alliance’s target and raising over e1,600 for Brain Tumour Ireland.

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She added: “The event is also part of our efforts to fundraise for the work of Brain Tumour Ireland in providing information and support to brain tumour patients and their families, and in the long term for medical research on brain tumours.”

Anyone who missed out on the walk in Marlay Park can still donate through the charity’s website www.braintumourireland.com

Sandra explained that the website is a vital resource for anyone with a recent diagnosis of a brain tumour and their families who may find themselves searching for information on behalf of their loved one.

“Despite the excellent medical care my sister received, we as a family found it hard to find information on brain tumours when she was ill,

? she explained.

“We have set up this charity to ensure that no other family finds itself in this position. Braintumourireland.com aims to provide information and support to brain tumour patients and families, and in the long term, we will fundraise for medical research on brain tumours.

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The charity has attracted the support of Ryan Tubridy, Luke Fitzgerald, Leinster and Ireland rugby player, Gavin Duffy, star of Dragons Den, Ruth Scott DJ and Ted Walsh, horse trainer.