Gort River Walk - The Bridge and Beyond

You are very welcome to the Gort River Walk fundraising initiative ! 

After initial fundraising for €20,000 we managed to get a grant for the development of a foobridge from Active Travel - this didn't require match funding so we paused our fundraiser.

We are just completing our full riverwalk looping, including a beautiful new footbridge.

In order to maintain, enhance and extend this fantastic amenity, we need to secure further funding. The funds will be used for:

✅ Costs to get planning permission for enhancements - to prepare for further grant funding - typically for Impact assessments, architecture & design, planning permission

✅ Costs to maintain current trail in cluding equipment (strimmers, lawnmower, leafblowers, fuel, etc)

✅ A buffer for grant funding as we need to pay out money before recouping it from grant money

✅ Structural and material costs for small enhancements

✅ Match funding typically 10% of a Grant that needs to be paid by the group

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE RIVERWALK?

✅ HEALTH –multiple strands of research have proved the importance of river walks, in improving the mental and physical well being of those who use them. Walking is one of the most under-utilised forms of effective exercise and walking in such a breath-taking natural beauty spot has huge benefits for wellbeing 

Sally Smith of Open Sesame Healthfoods

https://youtu.be/nkpRTFIcq9c

 ✅ SOCIAL –sharing the river walk can help develop community unity, identity and cultural diversity. Sightings of animals like otters, and herons are common on the riverwalk and nature lovers can share this experience together 

 ✅ ENVIRONMENTAL – the riverwalk is at the heart of the town, by raising these funds we will be educating people on wildlife and plant-life, furthering respect for nature and its protection.

 ✅ ECONOMIC – Gort businesses will benefit from the increased footfall and it will create new business opportunities locally e.g bike hire.  26% of all tourists and visitors in Ireland engage in some form of cross country walking, Fáilte Ireland declare. This brings an extra €1.3 billion into Ireland annually. 

✅ FUN – going on a Riverwalk with family and friends is fun! enjoy a laughter filled picnic, cycle , walk, run, swim, painting or sketching or a romantic moment. Who will be the first to propose on the new bridge? 

✅ LEGACY - it is important that further generations can enjoy and benefit from this amenity and have this amazing walk available for grandchildren and great grandchildren alike.

WE HAVE DONE GREAT THINGS WITH THE FUNDS RECEIVED SO FAR, BUT IMAGINE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH MORE AS WE HAVE GREAT IDEAS BEYOND THE LOOP

We need your help to reach €20,000

HOW CAN YOU HELP and be a part of this project? 

✅ Donate whatever amount you can by clicking on the link , no matter how small, a little from a lot of people, goes a long way.

✅ Share this page on your social media to friends and family and encourage them to donate, spread the word around the globe.

Thank you!