Athlone Traveller activist's barefoot climb in support of autism charity
Two sisters from the Midlands have completed a challenging charity hike in Fermanagh - with one walking it barefoot!
Maureen Ward, who works as an advocate for the Traveller community with the Athlone-based Minceirs Whiden organisation, took on the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, known as the 'Stairway to Heaven', in her bare feet.
She did so as a fundraiser for the As I Am autism charity and was supported on the hike by her sister, Nora Ward, who lives next door to her in Tullamore.
The pair hiked more than 7 miles to the top of the trail on Saturday last, August 1, and Maureen said she found the steps at the top of the 'stairway' particularly tough.
"The part that was the hardest on my feet was at the very top," she said. "The day after, my calves and quads were very sore but my feet were fine.
"I'm four foot nine or ten in height, and my sister isn't much taller. Some of the steps were eight or ten inches, so it really felt like you were doing a workout in the gym!"
She 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.
She added that, through her role as coordinator of the Minceirs Whiden group based at the ACT Business Development Centre in Parnell Square, Athlone, she encounters Traveller parents who come to her seeking access to support.
"More and more parents have been coming to me with questions around the issue of autism resources," she said.
Maureen also writes poetry and 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.
An online fundraising page set up for Maureen's 'Stairway to Heaven' challenge has so far raised €665 and, along with cash donations, a total of €900 has been generated for the charity so far.
Donations to the iDonate page - entitled 'Maureen Walking Barefoot for As I Am, Ireland's Autism Charity' - can be made here until August 31.