The Hiking Hens have invited the public to join them on a walk in memory of Evelyn Colgan, who passed away unexpectedly.
The memorial walk for Evelyn, who was the sister of Hiking Hen Maria O’Grady, will take place this September 14 in the Woodland Trust NI’s Mourne Park outside Kilkeel.
Evelyn lived in Lisnacree near Kilkeel and passed away suddenly on June 29 this year. She was just 54 years old.
Maria told Armagh I that Evelyn was a “kind and caring woman who would’ve done anything for anybody.”
Said Maria: “She was a girl who was very vibrant and loved colours. She travelled the world and had friends in many countries and just a couple of months ago she travelled to Italy. She was never at home, she was always somewhere in Ireland or across the pond.”
Maria recounts that on the night before Evelyn passed, she and Evelyn had planned to go for a walk in Mourne Park.
Six weeks on from her passing, Maria says that she feels she has to complete the walk for Evelyn to help her process the grief.
Organised by Maria O’Grady and Bridget Higgins, volunteers of Hiking Hens, the memorial walk aims to be a peaceful way to help participants with improving their mental and physical health.
Hiking Hens and friends and family are asked to meet at Mourne Park at 8.30am for photos, with the walk commencing at 9am.
The 4.5km loop is of moderate difficulty, consisting of a loose gravel path with sections of steps and some steep slopes. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead.
For Maria, the support of the Hiking Hens is something that’s kept her going since her loss.
“The Hens were unreal,” she said. “They supported me through the funeral and the wake and there was probably 100 hens at my sister’s wake. It meant a lot.
“I’m just trying to get out walking again every day. I need to keep moving because I know my sister would’ve wanted me to.”
Maria added: “It’s just to keep Evelyn’s spirit and her memory alive. She was a very special person and is so missed by the family.
“It will be good for everybody to go walking and talking and everybody has stories to tell. When you go out walking in the fresh air and amongst nature’s best in Mourne Park it’s just a nice peaceful walk.
“I’d just like to thank Biddy and all the hens for the support they’ve given me during the wake, the funeral and afterwards. The girls are still checking up on me everyday.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to Kilkeel Golf Club and the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland for their invaluable support.”
