Hiking barefoot sisters raise €1300 to support autism charity

After a barefoot seven miles hike up the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, known as the 'Stairway to Heaven', sisters Maureen and Nora Ward have raised almost €1300 in support of As I Am, Ireland's Autism Charity. The duo recently donated the proceeds, €1287, which were part in cash and part raised through online crowdfunding.

The charity thanked the sisters for the noble cause they undertook. Rachel Wheeler, the fundraising manager at As I am, said: “I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your donation raised through your 'Stairway To Heaven' barefoot walk fundraiser in August. Your contribution this year will help us take significant strides towards creating an Ireland where every autistic person is accepted 'As They Are' – equal, valued and respected.”

While Maureen climbed barefeet, Nora had shoes on for health reasons. Prior to the hike in the Cuilcagh mountains, Co Fermanagh, the sisters set up an online fundraising page for a wider reach, apart from accepting cash donations. The online fundraiser on idonate.ie generated €735, while cash donations resulted in a €552 sum.

Maureen Ward, who works as an advocate for the Traveller community with the Athlone-based Minceirs Whiden organisation said that she and Nora decided to take on the challenge as a fundraiser for As I Am, because the autism support charity is “close to our heart”.

“I have extended family members, children related to me, that are autistic and I thought this would be a way of giving back and helping with resources,” said Maureen, who also writes poetry. She recently published a collection called 'Beneath The Canvas: Poems of the Road', sales of which will also result in donations to the As I Am charity.

By Navjyoti Dalal