Aughnasheelin walk raises €15,000 for cancer support
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The annual Aughnasheelin 5km/10km May Walk in Co Leitrim has raised €15,000 for the Irish Cancer Society and North West Hospice, with almost 200 people taking part in the community fundraising event.
The Annual Aughnasheelin 5km/10km May Walk in aid of Cancer Research / North West Hospice took place on Sunday May 31, 2026 and what a great day it was as €15,000 was raised for the Irish Cancer Society and Northwest Hospice Sligo.
Just short of 200 people turned out to walk, run or join in for a cuppa, others dropped by to donate and the rain held off. Such a wonderful community of people coming together to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society and the North West Hospice. Thank you all so much.
This year we were joined on the walk by Enda O’Reilly and Loretta Hyland residents of HSE Lir House Westmeath with their carers Jenny Mahon and Ashley Pedrosa.
Enda and Loretta together with their carers, community and families raised €953 for the May Walk Fundraiser.
It was so special to be joined by this group. On Monday June 29, Enda, Loretta, Jenny, Pedrosa and Louise Manley presented the cheque in Longford to representatives of the May Walk Committee.
The presentation of cheques to the North West Hospice and Irish Cancer Society took place in Aughnasheelin on Monday June 29, 2026.
Monica McElhinny Community Fund Raiser with the Irish Cancer Society, accepted a cheque for €7,500 on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society. Monica paid tribute to the organisers of this fundraising event.
Funds raised from events like this goes to providing a huge range of support and services to people affected by cancer, their families and carers.
The monies raised from this event has also funded a student who carried out research over a 4 year period in post cancer adolescent nutritional needs.
Detta McNiff, Board Director with the North West Hospice accepted a cheque for €7,500 on behalf of the North West Hospice. Detta thanked the organisers and all involved for the generous contribution that goes towards providing home care for those living with cancer and goes towards making the end of life care so much better for those affected by cancer and their families.
Countless people have gained from the generosity of this community and similar community events across the NWH region.
“I am very proud of belonging to a community like Aughnasheelin and surrounding areas who come out each year to help with and support this event. Thank you Aughnasheelin for hosting the May Walk again this year.
“This Fundraiser has now become an established event and a noted date in the diary, thanks to Sammon Family, the Aughnasheelin Community, the committee and all involved, your contribution is very much appreciated”.
The new 12-bed unit of the North West Hospice, which is due to open in the next couple of weeks, will provide a place of comfort, support, services to patients and their families.
While the HSE provide the funding for the build, the NWH still require €1m each year to provide services to the terminally ill and their families in the North West region.
Speaking at the presentation, Cait Sammon Cullen thanked the organising committee and all who continue to work on this fundraiser, those who help in any way, getting the route prepared, registration, refreshments, water stations, stewarding, the Aughnasheelin Community, local businesses, SuperValu who supplied the water and cups, Detta and Monica for accepting the cheques, to all of you for your support and contributions, without your help, this event would not be possible. Many thanks to friends, colleagues, business associates and all who contributed so generously to the fund.
We will keep it going and look forward to doing it all again next year.
A big thank you to all who came out to the presentation and to Willie Donnellan, “photographer supreme” - thank you Willie.