Enfield to Moate walk to help Tony Parker fund

Next month more than 60 people are expected to take part in a charity walk and cycle from Enfield to Moate in aid of the Tony Parker Memorial Fund. The group will depart from Enfield on bicycle and on foot at noon on Saturday, September 10. Organiser Geraldine Parker said 30 cyclists and 30 walkers had signed up to date, but there was still time for others to come on board if they were interested in taking part. Established in 2008, the Tony Parker Memorial Fund has thus far funded the purchase of 52 defibrillators for schools, local facilities and community organisations. In addition, it has trained over 600 people in how to use a defibrillator. Its fundraising work so far this year has included taking part in the women's mini marathon and in a charity parachute jump. The upcoming event will include bucket collections in the towns and villages between Enfield and Moate. The walkers and cyclists' journey will conclude at the Tuar Ard Theatre in Moate, and there will be a night of music and a raffle in Egan's, Mount Temple, later that evening. Geraldine stated that if anyone was interested in getting involved, they are welcome to contact her at Athlone Post Office (Civic Square branch) where she works. The Tony Parker Memorial Fund was established in memory of Geraldine's son Tony, who at 16 years of age suddenly collapsed and died while he was warming up for a PE class at Moate Community School in 2007. Tony's family was told that the rhythm of his heartbeat had been a factor in the sudden nature of his death. In the months following Tony's death a massive fundraising effort swung into action in order to fund the purchase of defibrillators and raise awareness of the issues surrounding SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome).