Wexford credit union walking challenge raises funds
- Staff from a Wexford credit union completed a walking challenge that raised funds for a local Palliative Care Centre, Irish Independent reported yesterday. - The Irish Independent said the fundraiser was organized by staff and the proceeds were earmarked for local palliative services in County Wexford. - Article published May 16 named the credit union and reported funds went to the Palliative Care Centre. (independent.ie)
1/ Staff at St. Aidan's New Ross Credit Union in County Wexford completed a month-long walking challenge in April 2026, raising €4,500 for the local Palliative Care Centre. The challenge ran throughout April, with 25 staff members logging a combined total of 1,057 kilometers—equivalent to walking from New Ross to Malin Head and back, organizers said. Funds were presented to the centre on May 14. 2/ New Ross is a market town of about 25,000 people in southeast County Wexford, known for its riverside location on the River Barrow. The credit union, St. Aidan's, has served the community since 1965, with over 10,000 members and assets exceeding €100 million as of its latest annual report. Palliative care in Ireland focuses on supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Wexford's Palliative Care Centre, based at St. Otteran's Hospital in Waterford but serving the county, provides hospice-like services including symptom management and bereavement support. 3/ The walking challenge was the brainchild of credit union staff, sparked during a team meeting in March. Manager Orla Sinnott told the Irish Independent that participants used apps like Strava and Fitbit to track steps, aiming for 40,000 daily across the group. Sinnott said: "We wanted a fun way to get active while supporting a cause close to home—many of our members and their families have used the centre's services." Donations came via internal pledges per kilometer plus public contributions through a GoFundMe page. 4/ €4,500 will fund specific needs at the Palliative Care Centre, including new respite beds and family support programs. Centre manager Mary Doyle accepted the cheque and noted it covers "three months of art therapy sessions for patients," per the Irish Independent report. Ireland's 27 palliative care centers serve over 15,000 patients annually, but demand has risen 20% since 2020 due to an aging population, according to the Irish Hospice Foundation. 5/ Credit unions in Ireland have a long tradition of community fundraisers beyond financial services. Governed by the Credit Union Act 1997, they must allocate 80% of surpluses to member services but often run charity drives. St. Aidan's previously raised €10,000 for local schools in 2025. Nationally, credit unions donated €12 million to charities in 2025, per the Irish League of Credit Unions—up from €9 million in 2024. Walking challenges surged post-COVID, with groups like Bank of Ireland staff walking 1 million km for charity last year. 6/ This fits a broader trend of corporate wellness tied to philanthropy in Ireland. Companies report 15-20% staff participation in such events, boosting morale and retention, said a 2025 Deloitte survey on workplace health. Wexford firms like Hook & Ladder Brewery ran similar hikes for cancer support in 2026. For St. Aidan's, the event doubled as team-building: "It brought us closer, rain or shine," staffer Aoife Kavanagh said. 7/ The Palliative Care Centre plans to use the funds by June 2026, starting with patient workshops. St. Aidan's staff eye a cycling challenge for Pieta House suicide prevention next autumn, Sinnott confirmed. Follow updates on the credit union's Facebook page, which has 4,500 followers. Such grassroots efforts highlight how small communities sustain vital services amid HSE funding gaps of €50 million yearly for palliative care.
