Aisling O'Neill's Camino to Santiago de Compostela

Hola, my name is Aisling O'Neill and I live in Celbridge, County Kildare. On 29 April, I set out on my journey on the Camino Frances from St. Jean in the Pyrenees on the French/Spanish border to Santiago de Compestela in Galicia, Spain. It’s a journey of nearly 780 kilometres and, avoiding any mishaps, I should arrive in Santiago on 6 June. For some of the Camino, I will be walking alone and for others I will be joined by friends or family members.

My costs on the Camino are entirely self-funded. However, it would be wonderful if I could also raise some money for children who are undertaking their own journeys in combatting illness. All of the money raised will be divided equally between the two great charities outlined below. Your support would be a great way of accompanying me on the Camino and offering encouragement during any wet days and steep hills ahead.

1. Conall’s Fund for Pulmonary Hypertension

Following the untimely death of my nephew Conall, aged 12, a fund was set up in his memory. Initially, it financed a clinic enabling a medical consultant from Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London to periodically visit Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Dublin to assess children suffering with Pulmonary Hypertension. After a successful two years, the financial costs of this clinic were absorbed into Crumlin Hospital’s mainstream budget.

Since then, Conall’s memorial fund is focused on the holistic wellbeing of children suffering from Pulmonary hypertension and other cardiac conditions. For instance, it can support events, treats and art therapy for children attending clinics or admitted to Crumlin Hospital. In specific cases, the fund can also support children and families who may need to travel to Great Ormond Street Hospital for referred consultations.

2. Barretstown

Barretstown is Ireland’s largest children’s health charity in Ireland offering residential programmes for children with cancer and other serious illnesses from Ireland, UK and across Europe. Founded in 1994 as a European centre of excellence by the late actor and philanthropist, Paul Newman, Barretstown is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of camps. Since then, it has delivered therapeutic programmes to over 120,000 children and family members living with serious illness, all entirely free of charge.

Many thanks for your interest and support. Buen Camino!

Aisling