12 April 2019

Cha-cha the Camino for CRY with Dancing with the Stars and GAA legend, Aidan O Mahony 12 April 2018 Five-time All-Ireland winner and the country's first winner of Dancing With The Stars, Aidan O’Mahony, is calling on the public to join him in walking the Camino de Santiago to raise vital funds for Cardiac Risk in Young (CRY) Ireland on 7-14th September.

The Kerry All-Star said, “It is an honour for me to take part in the Camino Trek and to be an ambassador for such an important and worthy charity.

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) has affected so many families in Ireland including my own. The provision of CRY’s supports and services to patients and families who have experienced a loss to the condition are exceptional.

As I am a representative and advocate for healthy living and well being, the Camino Trek is a very positive event to be part of as it symbolizes my passion for outdoors and fitness. I am very grateful to undertake the challenge of the Camino Trek for seven days in September and represent CRY”

The Camino is a walk anyone can do, this year CRY will walk The Portuguese Coastal Way and the added bonus it is for a great cause and those who sign up are asked to raise €1,950 to take part.

O’Mahony is asking the public to join him on completing a 107km trek in eight days and help to raise up much-needed funds for CRY.

Approximately two people under the age of 35 die every week in Ireland from Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). Conditions that cause SCD cannot be cured, but if diagnosed, the risk of death can be significantly reduced. The best treatment for people at risk is expert assessment and this includes screening. The CRYP is the only clinic in Ireland that provides a full-time dedicated service, and it is free to all patients.

Lucia Ebbs, CEO of CRY said, “We are delighted to announce Aidan as our ambassador for this year’s Camino Trek and I would like to sincerely thank all of our walkers and fundraisers from previous years. Funds raised by the Camino Trek will go towards supporting CRY’s free screening service in Tallaght Hospital and directly helps to save lives. We have a target of €880,000 to build the new facility and the money raised from the Camino Trek will move us closer to this building materialising.”

The new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art centre for CRY will be in Tallaght University Hospital and provide cardiac screening and treatments for families and individuals affected by SCD as well as emotional support.

This partnership development with the hospital and the HSE will cost a total of €1.2 million of which CRY has committed to raising €880,000 from public donations.

If you would like to join Aidan O’Mahony on the CRY Camino Trek go to www.cry.ie