Family Carers Ireland launch ‘Step Up for Family Carers’ 5km challenge at Offaly venue

FAMILY Carers Ireland is inviting people across the Midlands to Step Up for Family Carers at Lough Boora Discovery Park in Offaly on Sunday 26th April at 11am, as part of a national community challenge to raise vital funds and recognition for family carers.

Participants will walk, jog, or run 5km at the Offaly event, set in the picturesque surroundings of Lough Boora Discovery Park. At the same time, communities in Cork at the Eli Lilly and Company Kinsale site All Weather Pitch and Limerick at Mungret Park will also take part, bringing people together across the country on the same day. Those unable to attend in person can take part virtually by committing to 7,000 steps a day throughout April or completing a 5km walk in their own community.

Step Up for Family Carers is about coming together as one community with one purpose: supporting the hundreds of thousands of people across Ireland who care for loved ones at home. The campaign is supported by influencer and content creator Rachel Gorry, who is encouraging people to get involved and raise awareness of the challenges faced by family carers, bringing communities together while raising vital funds.

Funds raised through the challenge will help Family Carers Ireland provide practical supports for carers across Ireland, including training to help people manage complex care safely at home, counselling and support groups, help accessing health and social welfare supports, and emergency respite when carers urgently need a break.

The initiative is supported by Lilly as part of its collaboration with Family Carers Ireland, supporting efforts to raise awareness of the role family carers play and encouraging communities to get involved.

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Ann Lynam, who cares for her son Luke (28), is taking part in the Offaly event, said: “Caring doesn’t stop at five o’clock. It’s there first thing in the morning and late into the night. Many family carers are managing medication, appointments, personal care, and the emotional side of caring all at the same time. You can love the person you care for deeply, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exhausting. Days like this are important because they give carers a chance to come together, feel supported and understood, and they remind people in the community that caring is happening quietly in homes everywhere.”

Niamh Lynch, Carer Support Manager with Family Carers Ireland, said: “Across Offaly and the wider Midlands we support hundreds of people who are caring for loved ones at home, often while also juggling work, family life, and their own health. Many carers don’t identify themselves as carers at all, they simply see it as looking after someone they love.

“Step Up for Family Carers is a simple way for our local community in Offaly to show that those efforts matter. Every person who signs up and takes part is helping to strengthen the supports available to carers locally and nationally. We hope to see families, neighbours, workplaces, and community groups coming out together on the day.”

Family Carers Ireland is encouraging individuals, families, workplaces, and community groups to register and take part in one of the three events or to get involved virtually from anywhere in Ireland. Every step taken this April is a step towards a future where no one has to care alone.

To register, visit www.familycarers.ie/stepup

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