A Southport businesswoman is trekking 125km of the Camino Way in Northern Spain this week to generate funds for two regional charities.
Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner at FPC, an independent financial planning and wealth management firm based in Ainsdale Village, is inviting people to support her charity efforts for Sean’s Place and Alfie’s Squad.
The mountainous route will take Moira and her husband, Mark, six days to complete.
Moira, Merseyside Businessperson of the Year 2023, chose to mark her 60th birthday by walking the first stage of the Camino de Santiago, travelling from San Sebastian to Bilbao, as a tribute to both her father, who died aged 59, and brother whom she sadly lost to suicide in 2002.
You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/moira-oshaughnessy-1707295343560
Moira O’Shaughnessy said:
“Sixty is a significant birthday for me as my dad only made 59 and my brother Kevin just 40. I’m walking in their memory to raise money for two very special groups; Sean’s Place in Bootle, where I was born and bred, which supports men struggling with their mental health and at risk of taking their own life, and Alfie’s Squad which supports children who have lost someone to suicide.
“If these two groups were around in 2002 when we lost Kevin, I’m sure they would have been a great support and I’d like to do my bit now to help them continue to support others. Thankfully, my husband Mark is walking with me as I have no sense of direction and our daughters would not let me tackle this alone!”
All costs for the challenge will be met by FPC and donations will go via the Community Foundation for Merseyside which will pass on 100% of what is raised to these two groups, with donors also able to add gift aid too.
If people would like to donate in support of these charities and Moira’s fundraising trek they can do so by following this link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/moira-oshaughnessy-1707295343560
More about the charities
Sean’s Place was established by Debbie Rogers after she sadly lost her brother Sean in July 2019 following a long battle with his mental health – he was just 34 years old. The aim of Sean’s Place is to improve the mental health and well-being of men from across Sefton and Liverpool City Region through support specifically identified to improve confidence and self-esteem whilst reducing symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.
Alfie’s Squad was founded in 2019 by a then 9-year-old Alfie Fitzsimmons following the devastating loss of his father to suicide in 2017. He discovered, along with his mum Allison Furlong, that there was a lack of support available across the country for children bereaved by suicide.
The core mission of Alfie’s Squad is establishing a much-needed support group to provide young individuals affected by suicide with a safe space to heal, connect and find solace in the company of peers who share similar experiences.
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