Walking and rolling into the weekend for a cause

A Cork-based charity which supports children, adults and their families living with neuro-physical disabilities is ready to Walk n’Roll!

The Crann Centre event is now in its fifth year and is the charity’s most important fundraiser with more than €110,000 raised over the past four years. The charity is asking the public to help them reach this year’s target of €50,000 by doing 5k their own way and in their own place from today, 12 June, until Sunday.On Saturday, 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.

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. 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 more than 700 families from Cork, Kerry and across Munster.

Alison Lynch’s son, Oliver, has been availing of services provided by the Crann Centre and she says the difference it has made to both his life and the entire family is invaluable.

She’s encouraging people to support the Walk n’Roll campaign in whatever way they can. “No one thinks of the effect a disability can have on the entire family but the Crann Centre provides services for the whole unit. And it is a huge support to know there is always someone on the other end of the phone if you need to talk to them about anything.

“All you have to do is look at the happiness in Oliver to know the services are invaluable. He enjoys coming here, it’s a safe place. Walk n’Roll is a small walk and can be carried out anywhere in any way you can and it makes a huge difference to so many families.”

Padraig Mallon, Chief Executive of Crann said: “I really encourage people to get behind the Crann Centre’s Walk n’Roll campaign. This is our fifth year running the event and all the money raised will go towards providing services for children, adults and families living with neuro-physical disabilities right here in Cork. It will make a huge difference to us in terms of planning services for today, tomorrow and into the future.”