• The charity’s first overseas event in 2022 raised more than €100,000

The Irish Community Air Ambulance is set to embark on its second international event and is calling on supporters to bike or hike the traditional Camino Frances. The trip is due to take place from April 23rd to April 30th, 2023. Last year’s event exceeded all targets, raising a massive €103,000.

The organisation works in partnership with the National Ambulance Service and is tasked to treat serious and life threatening emergencies. The helicopter is based in Rathcool, Co Cork with its Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders on the ground in Dublin, Mayo, Donegal, and Wicklow. 

Participants on the Camino will have the option of a 328 km cycle or a 130 km walk. Each group will be accompanied by a tour guide and a representative from the Irish Community Air Ambulance. 

CEO of the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Micheál Sheridan says:

The Camino is a really special event for us and is a great way to meet some of our dedicated supporters across the country. Last year we were joined on the walk and cycle by several people whose lives were touched by the service which really added to the experience. The aim of our organisation is to bring hope to people in emergency situations. Our team of Volunteer Emergency Medical Responders is growing rapidly with four new Critical Care Doctors joining us over the last year alone. That is thanks to the generosity of our donors and events like the Camino. The money raised will help us to expand our service into more communities right across the country.

Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of €2,500 which includes return flights, transfers, 7 days accommodation as well as breakfast and dinner each day. 

Head of Community and Donor Engagement with the Irish Community Air Ambulance, Lorraine Toner says it promises to be a wonderful event:

I have walked this route many times over the last ten years and each time have had an unforgettable experience. I plan on joining the cyclists this year for a new challenge for myself. You don’t need to have any previous hiking experience, there is plenty of time for participants to start walking now ahead of the trip in April. I would suggest some cycling experience before taking on this challenge. There is however lots of time to start training now and get the kms in on the bike. We will meet on zoom soon to go through all elements of both trips. The cyclists and walkers will depart from the same airport but will not meet after that due to different distances and logistics.

The walking group begins in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Los Arcos. Walkers will spend one night in Pamplona, the town famous for its Running of the Bulls festival. The path follows the Route de Napoleon over the Roncesvalles Pass (1500m) in the Basque country, and then crosses into more gentle terrain in the great region of Navarra. The walkers will spend their final night in Logrono, a beautiful city in northern Spain, south of Bilbao. 

The cycling group will also begin in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port but will cycle around the Pyrenees rather than up and over. The route takes in the foothills of the Pyrenees, vineyards, woodlands, historical cities and picturesque towns from the Basque Country to Hornillos del Camino. The cyclists will finish in Sahagun and fly home from Madrid.

Pat Fitzgerald from the Fitzgerald’s Centra in Dingle took part in the 2022 Camino and is looking forward to joining the 2023 trip. He says:

It was an incredible week and a fantastic opportunity to meet new people. There was a lovely mix of couples, friends and solo travellers. Everyone supported and encouraged each other and there were great laughs to be had along the way.

The Irish Community Air Ambulance has a dedicated Fundraising Team who will help participants to reach their fundraising goal. For more information or to register visit https://communityairambulance.ie/camino/ 

Help support Cork Safety Alerts by becoming a member – Click Here