There was a pleasant surprise in store on Monday evening for two sectors of the community in West Waterford when the proceeds of West Waterford Walking Group's annual walk were divided up.

The big walk is held every two years with different, usually local, charities benefitting from the monies raised. The walk which has been running for 20 years, has become a popular event in the community and enjoys great support. A substantial amount of money has been raised for charity.

Around 120 walkers took part in it this year. It was held on the Saturday of the October bank holiday. The beneficiaries of this year's walk, the Day Care Centre in Cappoquin and the Carmelite Convent in Tallow, each had representatives on hand at Lismore House Hotel to collect cheques from the walking group committee.

PRO, Maurice Geary, first of all wished their committee chairman Tom O'Grady, a speedy recovery from illness. Tom had insisted the presentation go ahead without him. Maurice pointed out that they'd done around 12 walks at this stage. He recalled Rwanda having benefitted from their first walk and said the new Carmelite monastery was also one of their early beneficiaries.

He thanked the committee for the hard work they put into organising the walks. Chief thanks went to the walkers, particularly this year as it was a miserable day, weather-wise, he said. He thanked all those who donated, those who provided catering in Tallow at the end of the walk, including the Carmelite nuns, the stewards, those who drove buses transporting people to and from the walk and all other volunteers.

Maurice pointed out that Cappoquin Daycare Centre operates four days a week, catering for different areas of the community on different days. There's always a cup of tea available but more than that, he said, it's a social occasions with the great atmosphere created by staff, making it a special place to visit. "Well done," he told the Daycare Manager Kathleen Barron and Sheila Denn who'd come to collect a cheque for €5,000.

Maurice said the Mercy nuns were gone from the community, so too were the CBS and the only Order left was the Carmelites. Many of the religious orders have had a hard time, he said, suffering adverse publicity, some of it deserved as a result of clerical sex abuse but they had done much good work in areas like education and care, and their donation reflected that.

Kathleen Barron thanked the group for their most generous donation, saying it was very much appreciated. Their bus was 'on its last legs', she told them, adding that the donation would go a long way towards a replacement.

Sr Patrice spoke on behalf of the Carmelites, saying they were very deeply moved by the tremendous token of support. Their cheque was for €10,000. They've been badly hit, as others have, she explained. It will be put to good use in the service of the community, she assured them. "It is a great source of strength to us to have your support. Please God, He will reward you," she said.

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