The second annual Donegal Camino has raised €50,500 for Cancer Care West services in Donegal. On average 65 walkers joined the walk daily from all across Donegal and the North West along with walkers from Dublin, the Midlands, Clare, Galway and of course Northern Ireland. This year also saw walkers from Scotland and North America which highlights its growth. They each had their personal Camino wishes and challenges to undertake over the 7 days while the burning desires of all was to raise money for Cancer Care West and experience the unique camaraderie and hospitality of the Donegal Camino.

Just over two years ago Carndonagh native Peggy Stringer came together with her friends, Donegal Person of the Year Noel Cunningham and former owner of Harvey’s Point Deirdre McGlone to create the 7 day hike from Inishowen to Slieve Liag Cliffs. The rapidly growing Donegal Camino is fast becoming the most popular walk in Ireland and since its foundation in 2020 has generated €76,500 for Cancer Care West Services in Donegal.

Guided by Donegal’s John Mc Groary of John’s Walking Ireland and his team of guides Joe Coyle, Denis Sheridan and Michael Devaney, the 2022 Donegal Camino was also supported by many of Donegal’s high-profile personalities who took to the highways and byways of their beloved Donegal with vigour.

“We’re blown away by the resounding success of our second Donegal Camino,” says Donegal Person of the Year, Noel Cunningham who himself walked, laughed, sang and entertained walkers throughout the week. “I’m a patron of Cancer Care West and to experience the heartfelt support and see the resounding donation of €50,500 this year, fills my heart with joy. It will help so many cancer patients and their families across our wonderful county, and I’m so proud of everyone and to be part of this very unique Camino experience”.

“We were blessed with brilliant weather and a wonderful group of walkers from all over Ireland this year, which yet again gives me such encouragement and excitement for the future of the Donegal Camino,” says Peggy Stringer, founder and visionary of the Donegal Camino. She went on to say, “This was originally a simple idea I had to raise funds for Cancer Care West in my beloved Donegal as a close friend was suffering because of the scourge of cancer. Coming together with Noel and Deirdre has brought the Donegal Camino to potentially be Ireland’s number 1 walking event in the very near future.”

Former owner of Harvey’s Point, Deirdre McGlone says, “Donegal has the most beautiful scenery, the best walking and I’ve always known we have the warmest welcome for our visitors to the Northwest. The combination of these ingredients along with our fantastic hospitality sector has once again shown the beauty and brilliance of Donegal. The Donegal Camino is putting our county on the map for first class walking and hiking and this year saw walkers join us from Milwaukee in the US which is hugely encouraging”.

Richard Flaherty CEO of Cancer Care West, walked with the 2022 Donegal Camino and thanked the organisers for their huge efforts in creating such a successful and unique walking event and for the generous donation. “We are beyond grateful for this magnificent donation of €50,500 from the Donegal Camino. In 2021 the Cancer Support Centre in Letterkenny provided support to over 250 people affected by cancer. All services are provided free of charge and we rely completely on fundraising and voluntary contributions to run the centre. This sizeable donation from the Donegal Camino will certainly bring much comfort to many of Donegal’s cancer patients and their families in the year ahead.”

The organisers of the Donegal Camino are extremely grateful to all those who participated in this year’s walk making it such a success. Such is the support and enthusiasm for the Donegal Camino, that the committee are already hard at work planning the 2023 event which will take place from the 3rd to the 9th of September 2023.