Shane Barry from Leitrim and John Doherty from Donegal are trekking approximately 450km across country roads on horseback while raising funds for Ronald McDonald House and Cian’s Kennels.
‘Aria’s Donegal to Dingle Trek’, which the duo will complete from July 29th, 2023, to August 11th, 2023, is taking place in memory of Aria Rose, daughter of Shane Barry and Tracey Wilkie, Dromahair, Co Leitrim.
Aria Rose was born with complex needs and a rare syndrome but miraculously continued to defy all odds for 16 months and then gained her wings on February 17th, 2023.
Aria’s Donegal to Dingle Trek
According to Shane, Tracey, and Brandan, “Aria Rose was so loving, brave, strong, funny and massively inspirational”.
“We learnt so much about values in life from her. Kindness, support, positivity, appreciation, trust, patience and belief filled our days.”
“We spent her entire life in hospital with only 12 days at home. We could not have stayed every day close as a family if we did not have the support from Ronald McDonald House and Cians Kennels.”
“They both became our extended family, helping us find light in our darkest days, a roof over our heads, food in our stomachs, and our dogs close by to go for a walk with to clear our heads is priceless.”
“These are true luxuries when you have a child long-term in hospital. Life becomes very different, but we found ‘hope in kindness’ and that is exactly what we got from these two amazing charities.”
“We will be forever grateful that they kept us as a family, so we are trying to give back in the hope that we can pay it forward to other families by raising as much as we can.”
Aria’s Donegal to Dingle Trek iDonate page has already surpassed its fundraising target of €10,000 and you can support the cause by clicking this link.
