Strong support for Carrie's 5k charity walk launch

Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran and Midlands North-West MEP Nina Carberry helped to launch Carrie’s 5k Charity Walk on Friday.

The duo joined kidney transplant recipients, community representatives and organisers at a photocall, held at The Bounty in Athlone, to announce details of Carrie’s 5km Charity Walk.

The 5km event takes place on Sunday, October 11, at 2pm at the Athlone Regional Sports Centre, with members of the public invited to walk, jog or run at their own pace in support of the three charities working with kidney and heart patients and their families – Croí, Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) and Irish Kidney Association (IKA).

Now in its third year, this year’s Carrie’s 5km Charity Walk is being organised by Athlone woman Carrie Minagh in partnership with the IKA Westmeath Branch, with proceeds going to the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) for the first time this year. The IKA will receive 60% of funds raised, with the remaining 40% divided equally between Croí and the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF).

There is no requirement to pre-register for the event and there is no registration fee, it’s open to all to attend, and people can choose to donate to the event on the day or through the online fundraising platform at www.idonate.ie/westmeathbranchika

The Midlands North-West MEP Nina Carberry joined volunteer members of the IKA Westmeath Branch, as well as former Athlone and Westmeath Footballer and kidney transplant recipient John Egan, walk founder Carrie Minagh, and local representatives at the pre-launch event of the third annual Carrie’s Walk.

Also attending the pre-launch were representatives of the Westmeath IKA Branch, including Branch Chairman Jack Cunniffe, a kidney transplant recipient from Taughmaconnell, IKA Branch Secretary Brian Mulvihill, from Coosan, whose son Ronan underwent a kidney transplant last year, and IKA Branch Treasurer Cian Brennan, from Mullingar whose aunt donated a kidney to him in April 2025.

They were joined by Cllr John Gibbons and Cllr John Dolan, who came together in solidarity to highlight Carrie’s 5km Walk and the important causes it supports.

For Nina Carberry, supporting kidney patients and transplant recipients has a particularly personal connection. Her late father, legendary jockey and 1975 Grand National winner Tommy Carberry, was a strong supporter of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund (PKRF) Race which began in 1990. The PKRF Race continues to form part of the Punchestown Festival and has, to date, raised in excess of €2 million for kidney research and other activities, including programmes run by the Irish Kidney Association in support of kidney patients and their families.

Speaking at the event, Nina Carberry said, “Carrie’s Walk is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support people and families whose lives have been affected by illness including cardiovascular and kidney disease and transplantation. The work of the Irish Kidney Association, Croí and the IHF is incredibly important, and events like this help raise both vital funds and awareness.”

“Organ donation is such a profound gift of human kindness and represents the very best of humanity. Raising awareness of organ donation is so important because ultimately it is about giving someone else the opportunity of a second chance at life.”

The family-friendly event, which Carrie Minagh launched three years ago following her own recovery from a brain aneurysm and stroke.

Carrie spoke about her own health journey and the motivation behind the event, highlighting the importance of community, support and giving people hope during difficult times.

Cllr. John Dolan, also spoke about the great work Croí and the Heart Foundation does in supporting patients and shared how he required prolonged rehabilitation following a cardiac arrest in 2017.

Also speaking at the event was John Egan, the former Athlone and Westmeath footballer, who received a living donor kidney transplant from his family friend in 2021, and he shared how it can be difficult for kidney patients to get life insurance.

Among those sharing their personal transplant journeys was Cian Brennan from Mullingar, Treasurer of the Westmeath IKA Branch, who received a living donor-kidney transplant from his aunt last year. Both Cian and John will be stepping out for Carrie’s Walk at which John will speak about his kidney journey.

Also joining the walk will be Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran. He said: “I’m delighted to be here in support of this wonderful community event taking place in my own county. It is a great opportunity to bring people together who have very different health journeys, while increasing awareness about kidney and heart health and celebrating the gift of life and the importance of community support.

“Some of the people here today have renewed health thanks to the care and support they have received from healthcare professionals and from charities that advocate for and support patients and their families. Some have been given a second chance at life through organ donation and transplantation, made possible because of the generosity of someone who made the decision to donate a loved one’s organs.”

“Carrie’s Walk is a wonderful way of bringing these stories together and reminding us of the difference that community, compassion and generosity can make in people’s lives.”

Participants of all ages are welcome to walk, jog or run at their own pace, with everyone encouraged to come along and take part.

There is no registration fee to take part, and participants can donate whatever they can afford.

Those unable to attend on the day can also support the three charities through the online fundraising platform at www.idonate.ie/westmeathbranchika

There will also be collection buckets for donations on the day.