2 days ago
Hope Centre Summer Solstice Walk cancelled after 14 years due to health and safety concerns – ‘It's was a very difficult decision'
While it may seem a simple event – a walk along one of Wexford's finest beaches, some meditation and a candlelight ceremony – the Hope Cancer Support Centre have been forced to cancel their annual Summer Solstice Walk and Ceremony of Light and Healing owing to health and safety concerns and additional requirements placed on them to obtain the required event insurance.
The Enniscorthy-based cancer support charity has been running the event since 2011 and it's become an incredibly popular and important event, affording participants the opportunity to reflect on their own cancer battles or those of a loved one, remember those who've gone before and to just talk to people who've had similar experiences.
This year, however, the event will sadly not go ahead, with some regular participants stating that it's another beloved event 'ruined by red tape'.
"The difficult decision was taken following a health and safety risk assessment and a thorough review of the event,' Administration Manager at the Hope Cancer Support Centre Denise McDonald said.
"It was a huge decision and we deliberated on it for a while. Unfortunately, there were additional health and safety requirements with the event being on the beach and it was just beyond our capacity.
"We know people will be upset about it and that's why we're going to try and do some alternative events including a meditative video on our social media platforms and website and we're going to put a 'Tree of Hope' outside the centre here where people can place their own symbols and messages.'
Details of these alternative events will be announced in due course, while a return of the Solstice Walk has not entirely been ruled out.
"Well you'll note the wording that it's just cancelled for this year,' Denise says. 'It may go ahead again in the future, we just don't know. Unfortunately, we just don't have the capacity to do it this year and that's a decision we arrived at after much consideration.'
