| Shannon Kayak Challenge 2005 | | | On Friday the 22nd of July 2005 we officially launched our second annual Awareness Week coinciding with the start of the now legendary nationwide kayaking challenge! This year sawa group of kayakers take on the Irish waterways by kayaking from Ballyconnell to Killaloe to raise much needed funds to finance our outreach services.
This challenge saw the kayakers, four of whom have spinal injuries themselves, cover over 250 kilometres during an 8-day period. The hope was that, by undertaking the challenge, awareness will be raised about the issues affecting those with spinal injuries and the organisation's work. | | | A Tribute to Niamh McGrath – an inspiring instructor and great friend
| | | During this year's Kayaking Challenge and Awareness Week we want to particularly remember a very close friend and supporter of Spinal Injuries Ireland, Niamh McGrath, who died in a tragic accident. Our introduction to Niamh was back in 1998 when she contacted SII and suggested we look at kayaking as an option for people with a spinal injury. Soon, with Niamh's support and endless enthusiasm, kayaking became a wonderful reality for people who have sustained a spinal cord injury and we have included it as one of our venture sports activities ever since.
By 1999 Niamh had inspired us with the self confidence to embark on a fundraising challenge that would take us kayaking 250 kilometres down the Shannon. As we prepare to undertake this Challenge for the third time we are filled with mixed emotions. It just won’t be the same without Niamh’s contagious enthusiasm and we will miss her kayaking alongside us but we remain truly grateful for all her support and encouragement and we know that she will be with us in spirit every step of the way. Her family are in our thoughts as we begin this journey – this one’s for Niamh. | | |
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