RTE Nationwide to feature Donegal Camino and Cancer Care West Support Centre

The 2024 Donegal Camino will feature in an upcoming episode of RTÉ's Nationwide. In an episode which airs on Wednesday, January 15 at 7pm, the Camino will feature along with the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny. Click on the arrows for snapshots of some of the spectacular scenery and memorable moments that will feature

RTE Nationwide followed the 2024 Donegal Camino on one of its most poignant days, when walkers literally walked on water from St Mary’s Church Kincasslagh across Cruit beach to the stunning Donegal Gaeltacht island, Oileáin na Cruite – Cruit Island.

In addition, RTE Nationwide went to the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny to meet both the hard working team, Donegal patients and their families who were undergoing their personal cancer journey.

The 2024 Donegal Camino raised €122,145.30, a record breaking sum, with 735 people walking over the seven days of what is now the leading walking festival in Ireland. Funds raised in 2024 increased by €39,990.30 from 2023 and this brings to €279,295.30 the funds raised by Donegal Camino for the Cancer Care West Support Centre since the first steps were taken by founder, Peggy Stringer at Malin Head in 2020.

The significance of the Donegal Camino as the primary fundraiser for the Cancer Care West Centre in Letterkenny will be discussed on RTE Nationwide by Donegal Camino founder, Peggy Stringer, chair, Noel Cunningham, alongside Cancer Care West’s Dr John Donoghue. Noel Cunningham is also a board member of Cancer Care West.

The exciting RTE Nationwide programme will explore and showcase the innovation and organisation that has gone into developing the rapidly growing brand of the Donegal Camino which has two fundamental aims, to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny Donegal and showcase the stunning walking and hiking tourism product of the Northwest County. Boasting the longest coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way, National Geographic have awarded Donegal the much coveted title of coolest place on the planet while Lonely Planet have awarded it the fourth best region in the world to visit in 2024.

Central to the RTE Nationwide’s feature on the Donegal Camino will be the rich community spirit and support that exists in Donegal for the wonderful seven-day walking festival and its absolute necessity as a funder for the ever increasing demands on the Cancer Care West services in Donegal. Funds raised by Donegal Camino have gone directly to increasing counselling services at the Letterkenny centre along with wellbeing programmes of pilates, yoga and such important support services.

Viewers will see the stunning Donegal scenery of the unique island of Oileáin na Cruite – Cruit Island. The Donegal Camino was warmly welcomed to Cruit Island where they were hosted for the annual Gallagher’s Bakehouse and Donegal Camino island picnic at Cruit Island Golf Club. Walkers thoroughly enjoyed a surprise performance by the resounding voices of Donegal’s fabulous group, Onóir, while local historian Kathleen Bonnar shared her wealth of knowledge on the island’s rich history, heritage and unique landscape.

Mary Harte, Donegal reporter with RTE Nationwide reports from the Cancer Care West Support Centre in Letterkenny where they meet with Dr John Donoghue who shares the progress and the challenges faced by those on a cancer journey in Donegal. In addition, they speak to patients who benefit from the service. RTE Nationwide also follows Donegal Camino founder, Peggy Stringer and chair, Noel Cunningham on the stunning walk across Cruit island where they discuss their collective passion and vision for the Donegal Camino.

“I first walked with five people back in 2020,” says Peggy Stringer, founder of the Donegal Camino, “It’s exhilarating to see it grow so steadily and support so many people’s cancer journey, all of which is poignant. We’re so grateful to RTE Nationwide to share our story with their discerning viewers.”

Noel Cunningham says: “Cancer Care West Support Centre Letterkenny rely sole on fundraising and personal donations to fund its services.

“The demands on the services are increasing and RTE Nationwide will showcase the excellent work going on in Donegal and the resilience of the people along with the importance of the Donegal Camino to walking tourism in Donegal and of course the much needed cancer centre in Letterkenny.”

Richard Flaherty CEO of Cancer Care West, says: “The Donegal Camino is now our primary fundraising event which allows us to continue and grow our services at the Letterkenny support centre in Donegal. We’re very grateful to everyone involved in developing it, walking and fundraising. RTE Nationwide is a superb outlet for us to showcase the efforts and hard work which are ongoing in Donegal to deliver and improve the supports for those on a cancer journey across the county.”

Viewers can tune into RTE One on Wednesday at 7pm to enjoy a heartwarming feature programme on the Donegal Camino which shows the essence of good volunteerism, community spirit and the development of walking tourism which supports the delivery of Cancer Care West services in a fun way, with the warm and welcoming personality of the people of Donegal.

Donegal Camino would like to thank the Cope store, Dungloe, the staff and members of Cruit Island Golf Club for their support with the Gallaghers Bakehouse picnic on the day and Onóir for their huge support in making the day so special. Thanks also to our other valued corporate sponsors and everyone who fundraised and supported the Donegal Camino with donations.

Donegal Camino 2025 will take place from Sunday, August 31to Saturday, September 6, again walking from Ireland’s highest point in Inishowen to Sliabh Liag in south west Donegal. The full itinerary will be announced in Spring 2025, and in the meantime anyone considering taking part can register their interest at register@donegalcamino.ie as places will be limited to 100 walkers per day.

People can also become sponsors of the Donegal Camino by emailing info@donegalcamino.ie or by making a donation by clicking the Donate button on www.donegalcamino.ie

Updates and further information are available by following @donegalcamino social media pages or on the website www.donegalcamino.ie

The Donegal Camino is managed by a voluntary committee which includes Founder, Peggy Stringer, Chair, Noel Cunningham, Treasurer Michael Cullinan, Secretary, John Mc Namara, Logistics & Itinerary, Carl Gysling, Product Development, Deirdre Mc Glone along with Event and PR Manager Noreen D’Arcy, D’Arcy Marketing and PR