Donegal Camino goes global in push for €500,000 milestone

Donegal people across the globe are being urged to lace up and help push the Donegal Camino beyond the €500,000 fundraising mark for vital cancer care services in the county. The seven-day walking festival will return for its sixth year on Sunday 30th August, beginning at Pollan Strand in Ballyliffin before travelling across Donegal and finishing at the Sliabh Liag cliffs on Saturday 5th September. For the second year running, the opening day will also become an international fundraiser, with Donegal people and supporters invited to walk wherever they are in the world on "Camino Sunday". The Donegal Camino has raised €432,522 for Cancer Care West during its first five years and is now aiming to secure a net donation of €165,000 from its 2026 event. Reaching that target would carry the Camino’s overall contribution well beyond the half-a-million-euro mark. Funds raised by the unique 7 day walking festival support counselling services, the set up of the Side by Side Support Group, Tai Chi programmes, and additional wellbeing supports for over 350 people on a cancer journey in Donegal. All Cancer Care West services are provided free of charge, and the charity receives no government funding. In 2025, Donegal County Council awarded the Donegal Camino a special designation for its outreach to the global Donegal community. Diaspora groups in Boston, Chicago and other locations across the globe organised local walks, with over 200 participants contributing more than €10,000 towards the 2025 donation of €153,277. The international initiative is led by Donegal Camino International Ambassador Noel Cunningham, board member of Cancer Care West Donegal, alongside Donegal Camino founder and Donegal Association Dublin President Peggy Stringer. They invite Donegal Associations, clubs, organisations and individuals worldwide - from North America to Australia, the UK, Dubai and beyond—to walk on Donegal Camino Sunday or during September and contribute to the fundraising effort. Participants are encouraged to upload photos and videos to Facebook and Instagram, tagging @DonegalCamino and @CancerCareWest. A dedicated Donegal Camino Sunday page is available at www.donegalcamino.ie/sunday where diaspora walkers can donate and learn more about the growing walking festival. Chair of the organising committee, John Mc Namara, CEO of Sendmode, acknowledges the remarkable support from walkers and sponsors: “Donegal Camino is marking its 6th year and we’re beyond proud of its growth. It showcases Donegal’s world class walking while supporting vital cancer services. The expansion of our international Donegal Camino Sunday is an exciting connection to Donegal people across the globe. We’re grateful to all of our registered walkers who are busy fundraising €100 per day for each day they walk and this year the growth of our international Donegal Camino Sunday proposition is an exciting link to Donegal people all over the world." Cancer Care West board member Noel Cunningham adds: “Cancer affects every family in Donegal. Donegal Camino has become the flagship fundraiser for developing new and expanded counselling services. I’m proud to lead this international initiative with Peggy Stringer and the Donegal Camino committee as we walk with our diaspora across the oceans.” For updates and information, visit www.donegalcamino.ie/sunday and www.donegalcamino.ie, and follow @DonegalCamino on Facebook and Instagram.