THREE Fermanagh women have walked from Enniskillen to Derry to raise much needed funds for Positive Futures Autsim Out Reach Service.
Shauna Falconer, who has worked at the service for four years came up with the idea as this service covers the entire Western Trust and the reason for the choice of route.
Shauna and her friend Mairead McCallion who is an experienced trained mountain leader started off the walk in Enniskillen, Charmaine Roddy joined them later in the route due to having surgery only four weeks ago.
Shauna and Mairead were met at the starting line by the CEO of Positive Futures Agnes Lunny, her husband Paul Roberts director and their daughter who walked a small distance.
The charity walk lasted three days covering 56 miles of challenging terrain, along mains roads, country lanes, paths and even walking through fields and bushes along the way.
Day two saw the biggest challenge and there was some sore feet along the way, with day three starting in Strabane to finish in Derry City, this was when Charmaine joined Shauna and Mairead.
“I can safely say we didn’t once run out of conversation during the 19 miles into Derry, and we had lots of laughs along the way,” said Charmaine.
The charity walk was to raise awareness and much needed funds for children with Autism and brain acquired injuries who live in the northwest.
The Autism outreach service for Positive Futures is referral based or self funded service.
“A lot of our children are socially isolated and their families struggle to socially integrate them with other children their age, this can be a very lonely and isolating time for the child and families,” explained Charmaine.
“Myself and Shauna took each referral on an individual basis assessing each child’s needs and how best they can be supported.
“We aimed to develop our children socially, nurture their emotional needs and create an environment we’re they were able to be come independent young people, developing important life skills along the way.
“Working with such amazing children is a privilege and it is great that positive futures can be part of their journey,” she added.
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