THE woman behind the recent charity walk along part of the Wild Atlantic Way on the Clare coast has this week expressed her gratitude for the great support she received.

Mina McNamara, whose husband Paul died suddenly from a brain aneurysm on July 7, 2002, organised last Sunday’s walk from New Quay Church.

“This is the second year of the memorial walk with all funds going to NLN Quest Brain Injury Services and St. Anne’s Brain Injury Unit, UHG.

“I suppose the hope is that we’ll be able to stage the walk as an annual event along what is a beautiful stretch of coastline on the edge of the Burren and overlooking Galway Bay,” Mina McNamara told the Connacht Tribune.

While this year’s fundraising total for the two charities still has to be totted up – the GoFundMe iDonate page is still open – last year, over €17,000 was raised in the walk.

Mina McNamara is a staff nurse at Bon Secours Hospital in Galway whose whole world changed when her husband Paul, suffered a fatal brain aneurysm just over two years ago.

Mina, originally from Kilfenora in Co. Clare, and Paul, a native of The Claddagh in Galway City, had lived for a number of years in Kilcolgan, and both loved the great outdoors.

“Paul loved being out and about and especially this area on the edge of the Burren and overlooking Galway Bay – I really am thankful for all who took part in last Sunday’s walk and also to all the many people who contributed so generously to the two good causes,” said Mina.

Quest Brain Injury Services is a community rehabilitation service for people across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, providing practical and social support to people affected by brain injuries. Each year in Ireland, as many as 10,000 are affected by brain injuries.

Pictured: Some of the many people taking part in the second Paul McNamara Memorial Walk charity fundraiser. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy