All set for the Ballycommon Sponsored Ride
It's here! One of the most looked forward to events of the year, the Ballycommon Sponsored Ride, takes place at Ballycommon village and its hinterland this Sunday, March 18th.
A big day out for all the family, this year's Ballycommon Sponsored Ride is being held in aid of North Tipperary Hospice and the hospice-run Suaimhneas Cancer Support Centre in Nenagh.
As ever, one of the highlight attractions in this action-packed day of events is the 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Over It' challenge. This year, 17 local 'celebrities' will attempt a horse jumping course.
The BSR also features a 20km series of trails through all manner of terrain, which upwards of 200 horse riders will attempt to negotiate this Sunday. There are some 120 jumps on the course. This time out the ‘Parade of Celebrities’ will kick things off at 10.30am from The Thatched Cottage and through the village to the ‘Field of Dreams’. There will also be the Williams Wall for young riders and 'tractor taxis' will be in service to help spectators take in all the action, and these will be wheelchair-accessible. There will be free food served throughout the day at various locations, including Kilodiernan where the riders will stop off for a half-time break. The BSR concludes at The Thatched Cottage, Ballycommon, with a barbeque, raffle and music. Official BSR merchandise including hoodies, jackets and hats will be available on the day, which has something for everyone - horse lovers or not. While there is no entry charge, those in attendance will be invited to make donations.
All monies raised will be donated to North Tipperary Hospice, one of the most deserving local charities, which provides hospice care to all – free of charge and regardless of a patient or family's circumstances. North Tipp Hospice needs to raise around €400,000 each year to cover all services, and all money raised locally is spent locally.
A significant proportion of funds raised in this year's BSR will go towards the hospice's Suaimhneas Cancer Support Centre at Clonaslee, Nenagh. Suaimhneas (meaning 'peace' or 'tranquility') has a dedicated team of volunteers, including a professional counsellor, working to provide support to people who have cancer, and to their families and carers. Services include individual, family and group support, complementary therapies, mindfulness relaxation yoga, an art group, bra and prosthesis fitting, men and women's health awareness, and also the services of a qualified chiropodist.
The Suaimhneas services extend to people at every stage of their cancer journey, from the aftermath of diagnosis right through to recovery. Support is also provided for the terminally ill, and there are services for people who have been bereaved by cancer.
Catering for a wide catchment area, Suaimhneas takes on in excess of 100 new clients every year. The Nenagh centre is presently being redeveloped so as to offer an enhanced level of service to those in need of it.