It's time to Walk'n'Roll
A Cork based charity is asking the public to help them raise much-needed funds by doing 5k their own way.
It’s all part of the Crann Centre’s fourth annual Walk’n’Roll taking place next month.
The centre supports children, adults and families living with neuro-physical disabilities and Walk’n’Roll is its biggest fundraising event of the year, with the target set at €50,000 this year.
The public can do their 5k in their own place from 6-9 June but on 8 June the Crann Centre will open its gates to welcome client families to walk, roll, push or pedal their final 1k at its centre in Ovens.
Cork City FC will once again lend its support as charity partner, and the club will be well represented on the day. The supporters are also getting behind the event, with proceeds of a bucket collection on 13 June at Turner’s Cross (v Cobh Ramblers) going to the Crann Centre.
The organisation is hoping both the public and teams from businesses across Munster will sign up to take part, with every contribution having a direct impact on the lives and quality of experience of clients and their families.
The charity is seeing a marked increase in the numbers of people contacting it for support, welcoming three new families each week. It now supports over 520 families from Cork, Kerry and across Munster.
Padraig Mallon, Chief Executive of Crann said: “What sets us apart is our two-generational model of care, which provides support for the person with disabilities and their family. Demand for our services is continuing to increase which is why this fundraiser is so important to us.
“We now have more than 520 families registered who receive a broad range of services tailored to their needs. It’s our fourth year running Walk’n’Roll, funds raised during 2023 went towards delivering play therapy sessions for children with neuro-physical disabilities and SibShop workshops for their siblings .”
Susan Beecher’s daughter Scarlett is a client of the Crann Centre. She is also a member of the centre’s Breaking Barriers Theatre Group, who helped launch this year’s Walk n’Roll.
She said: “Scarlett absolutely loves being part of the Walk’n’Roll. Last year, she went out of her way to make sure she counted every inch we had covered and she was buzzing to hear it was happening again this year. We’d be really grateful if people could get behind us and support us because the services here at the Crann Centre are absolutely amazing.
“Scarlett is part of the Breaking Barriers Theatre Group. From the moment she could talk, Scarlett has been a drama queen so as soon as we found a drama opening for her here, she was straight in there. It’s great for confidence, there’s all abilities at it and they’re hilarious with their little sketches. They all love it! ”
Owner of Cork City FC, Dermot Usher said: “We are delighted to continue our journey with The Crann Centre this year. My mission at Cork City FC is to provide the best possible facilities and experience and that is exactly what Crann do for families on a day-to-day basis.
“It gives the players a real lift to come and see the families living their best lives and working towards their peak performance. We and our loyal team of fans want to do whatever we can to support that.”
The Crann Centre provides lifelong, life-changing solutions for children, adults and families living with neuro-physical disabilities through its 2 Generation model of care.
It supports people living with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, osteogenesis imperfecta, stroke and other neuro-physical disabilities, and their families.
The Crann Centre’s team of experts include nurses, occupational therapists, counsellors, dieticians and play therapists.
It offers holistic, wraparound care programmes with personalised plans for each person throughout all stages of life.
For more information or to sign up to take part in the challenge visit cranncentre.ie/walknroll.