Mary Nolan Hickey returned to Arklow on Saturday 14th April to a real Heros Welcome.
During her amazing adventure, our 65 year old hero has touched the hearts and minds of people nationwide and beyond.
She was welcomed back to her home by thousands of her own people lining the streets from Wexford Road right down through Arklow main street and on down to a reception at Arklow Lifeboat Station. Large numbers of people travelled from various locations and lifeboat stations nationwide.
Our town came out in force to meet Mary along her route into town and paraded with her from the centre of town right down to Arklow RNLI where the very large assembled crowds got to hear from Mary.
Mary had some surprises along her homecoming route with her sons meeting her at main street and then her brother flying in as a surprise for her, meeting her at the Lifeboat station.
Following the homecoming event, Mary was then transferred to Dublin for an interview on national TV with RTE’s Ray Darcy on his show.
Mary set out to raise €20,000 euro, to date she has raised over €60,000 and its still growing.
You can still donate at www.rnlilapofthemap.com
Following the busy weekend, Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI’s Press Officer said:
“The Homecoming event was a rollercoaster of emotion for Mary and all involved, as we travelled down main street, seeing the overwhelming response from our town, united behind Mary’s trek, and in welcoming her home after her unbelievable achievement, we were ranging from laughter to tears with a very big lump in out throats”
Mark added, “on behalf of Arklow Lifeboat and her team, RNLI and all of the RNLI stations and people who assisted and were touched Mary in her Lap of the Map Nationwide and the RNLI, I would like to say Thanks to Mary for her superhuman efforts,”
Arklow Municipal District will honor Mary at a Civic Reception which will be held in the local district office at 7pm on Wednesday the 25th of April.
Donations and Updates are still available at :
https://www.facebook.com/rnlilapofthemap2018
or by following her on Twitter @rnlilapofthemap
Her fundraising page is:
https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/rnli-lap-of-the-map
