Hi, my name is Orla and I’m so delighted to be representing Kildare as a proud Lilywhite, while supporting a Kildare-based charity! I live in Caragh, a small village nestled between Naas, Newbridge and Clane. My great loves are my family and music. I sing with Newbridge Gospel Choir and walk and jog locally around the many lovely locations in our beautiful county of Kildare.

BEN

Our group (Ben for Barretstown ) takes part in the VHIWMM every year to celebrate the life of my son Ben, a lovely, kind, positive young man who loved tennis and music and who in his 16 years in this world enriched the lives of so many.

Ben was diagnosed with Leukaemia in 2011 at just 12 years of age. He received intensive treatment at Crumlin hospital for four years, and a Bone Marrow Transplant from his amazing sister Ava (then 8 yrs old), giving him more precious time with us.

Ben brought himself through all of this with strength, positivity and always a smile. He departed this world in June 2015. Our strong bond of love and connection continues. Having first experienced the wonder of Barretstown as a camper in 2012 and 2013, Ben later planned to be a volunteer. Throughout his illness, Ben helped Barretstown with fundraising, so it seems fitting that we continue what he started…….bringing fun and laughter to children's lives……as he brought so much to ours.  

BARRETSTOWN – MAGIC HAPPENS HERE

Founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994, Barretstown is an amazing life-affirming ‘adventure camp’ bringing fun and laughter to children with cancer and serious illness. Barretstown’s mission is to rebuild the lives of these children and their families. Offering a range of adventurous and challenging activities, such as zip wires, high ropes, climbing walls, Barretstown gives children a break from hospital treatment and a chance to escape the loneliness of a serious illness. They get to make friends and have some fun, all in beautiful surroundings in Ballymore Eustace, Co.Kildare. Barretstown also brings the fun of the camps to Hospitals & Schools through their Outreach Programmes. They have Bereavement Camps for families, who are facing the unimaginable journey ahead, with their beautiful children and siblings no longer in this world. The services provided to children and families who come to Barretstown are entirely free of charge, so donations and fundraising efforts are vital for the charity to help more children experience the magic of Barretstown each year. Both Ava and Ben have spent many fantastic times at Barretstown for which we are very grateful. We feel a deep connection to this amazing place, and to all it’s children and families. Barretstown will also be part of a happy future for Ava, who plans to volunteer there.  

BEN FOR BARRETSTOWN VhiWMM

We started out in the VhiWMM with just 10 women in 2017 and more than 100 of us took part in 2019. Raising €70K for Barretstown to-date, predominantly through the VhiWMM campaign, and through the support of local businesses, choir, Ben’s schools and tennis club, and the wider community of Caragh, Naas, Newbridge & Clane, we plan to do some serious fundraising this year! We are so delighted to be back in Dublin this year and will have many joining us virtually including an International contingent with teams from NY, LA & Chicago. 

WHATS SPECIAL ABOUT VhiWMM?

Each year we have new women joining us, who say it’s the camaraderie they find in each other, along with the challenge, that make them want to participate year after year. Without the Women’s Mini Marathon to aim for each year, we would likely not see half as much of each other and wouldn’t have the determination to ‘dust off our runners’ for each year’s adventure. Ben used to say about Barretstown, how everybody had their different stories, some tougher than others, but all going through something no kid should have to face. He felt that shared experience made it easier for them to make friendships while at Barretstown. The Mini-Marathon has a similar feeling, over 30,000 women all with their different stories, sharing a common bond, running, jogging and walking for their own special reasons, but also collectively for all the people in the hearts and minds of all the women taking part. The amazing atmosphere on race day has to be experienced to be believed. However you take part, walk, jog or run, enjoy it, and take it all in. The elation you will feel to be in the midst of all those Women Making Memories and Women Making Millions while supporting each other is just incredible.  

CALLING YOU WONDERFUL WOMEN– JOIN US FUNDRAISING FOR AMAZING BARRETSTOWN!

If you’re thinking of taking part in the VhiWMM for a charity please consider Barretstown. They say Magic happens at Barretstown so join us and be one of the Women Making Magic. Ben’s story is not over, thank you for helping us write the next chapter by taking part, donating or sharing. We’ll leave the last word to Ben…… "Barretstown just gives you this confidence. I don’t know how they do it, but that’s the magical thing about Barretstown. It gives you a piece of yourself back - the piece you lose during your illness“. Ben Wallace, 2013.  

DONATE LINK https://www.givengain.com/ap/ben-for-barretstown-raising-funds-for-barretstown/

VIDEO LINK https://youtu.be/P4PpqUwBCAA

CONTACT US FB or IG @benforbarretstown, or benforbarretstown@gmail.com