Women walk to help the homeless

THE plight of thousands of homeless people across Ireland will be highlighted next month by two Dublin women.

Joan McNevin and Paddy Pender will walk 92 miles from Roscommon to Dublin with no money, food, water or shelter.

The pair will rely on the good nature of local residents to provide meals and a bed each night.

“This is the fourth year we have done a walk like this and luckily we have always been looked after,” said Ms Pender.

“But we are a bit more anxious this year because of the weather.

“We don’t want to walk it in the rain, it is a lot more uncomfortable, especially putting on wet shoes every day, but if we have to do it we will.”

On September 1, the women will set off from Strokestown for the Capuchin Day Centre for homeless people in Dublin, where they both work.

Almost €15,000 was raised for the centre last year, which provides 2,000 meals and 500 food parcels to people in need every week.

Founded by Bro Kevin Crowley in the early 1970s, the Capuchin Centre needs to raise in the region of €250,000 a year for food.

“The purpose of the walk is to raise awareness about the problem of homelessness in Ireland today,” continued Ms Pender.

The women are encouraging people who live along the route to come out and walk with them.