Waterford's Ann Van Hemelendonck and Chris Conroy walk over North Quays bridge for MS funraiser
Ann Van Hemelendonck and Chris Conroy on the North Quay's sustainable transport bridge
Ann Van Hemelendonck and Chris Conroy became some of the first Déise residents to walk across the North Quay’s sustainable transport bridge on May 1.
The pair were taking part in a fundraiser for MS research. The duo have known each other for three years- Ann was first diagnosed with MS 35 years ago and now resides in Tramore Nursing Home, while Chris works as the home’s activity coordinator.
“It was absolutely brilliant,” Ann said to the
“(The workers) were so helpful and so kind… Now it's overcast, but it was just like summer. I think somebody was on my side for that.
“The view is wonderful from both sides, your left and right as you're on the bridge, it's absolutely gorgeous.”
The idea to walk across the bridge was born in 2025 when Ann and Chris completed the MS May 50k challenge for the first time.
During a routine conversation designed to gauge residents’ wants and needs, Ann told Chris she would like to begin walking again.
Through intensive rehab, Ann built from a base of walking ten metres to eventually covering two kilometres over the month of May. Chris covered the remaining 48km for the fundraiser.
Ann said she wanted to walk across the bridge as a way to one-up the previous year’s efforts. They’ve already shattered their fundraising total from 2025, netting €4,700 at the time of writing.
Other residents of Tramore Nursing Home have been supporting Chris and Ann through the challenge. Upon their arrival back home, they were greeted with a sea of red t-shirts celebrating their achievements on the North Quays.
They will now be undertaking the same challenge this year, with Ann looking to better her two-kilometre total.
“I'd love to be able to at least equal it, but I probably will do a little bit more and push myself that much harder,” says Ann.
“You have to put your mind to it. I'm stubborn. If I put my mind to doing something, I will persevere, and I was determined to walk again. So with Chris' help, I am managing to do it, not as well as I'd like to be able to, but I will get better.
“It’s progressive (MS). I started off just with stiffness and an inability to move freely. Gradually, it got worse, and I sometimes can't move my hands properly or my legs. But with exercise, it has helped considerably.
“Now I'm able to walk 100 meters at a go instead of 10, thanks to Chris.”
Ann and Chris’ Facebook page can be viewed here.
Donations can be made via this link.
