Clogher Diocese Mothers’ Union (MU) were joined by around 130 people from across the local community for their ‘Walk Together Against Domestic Violence’ event.

The event took place on the morning of Saturday, November 26 at Colebrooke Estate to help mark the global day of action as part of the UN’s wider 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence initiative.

The MU has been active on the issue of domestic violence for a number of years. Speaking following the event, Diocesan President Heather Ellis said: “The Trustees of the Clogher Diocese Mothers' Union had designed this walk so that we could, in a different way really raise the interest and profile of the area of violence against women and girls, which is something that we do in Mothers Union for 16 days, every year."

She explained that in the past, the Diocese of Clogher, which is a cross-Border Diocese, has held a service in north and south in support at this.

"This time, we decided that we would engage with some of the same charities but give an opportunity for the community members of the Mothers' Union and the charity leaders, the PSNI and the Guards to walk and talk about issues happening in this particular area," said Heather, noting that the event was attended by PSNI Inspector Joni Beatty, Garda Margaret Oliphant from the Monaghan Garda Station, Mary McCann and Fionnuala Donegan of Fermanagh Women's Aid, representatives of Women's Aid Omagh and Tearmann Domestic Abuse Service in Monaghan and Sharon Fitzpatrick representing the Aisling Centre, Enniskillen.

The event was not a fundraiser, but instead an opportunity for members of the public and different organisations to gather together to walk and talk about the issue of gender-based violence.

"However, what we did do was we had asked our ladies in Mothers' Union if they wished to bring gifts for either of those two charities, [Women's Aid or Tearmann] in the form of toiletries or pyjamas for children, or other practical things for children and young people that we will make a collection and split the collection of articles through the north and south [of the island of Ireland].

"So Tearmann got some of that and Women's Aid did as well. Some people did give us some money and with that money we have bought vouchers which we have given to the charities as well to use practically [over] the Christmas season," said Heather.

The two-mile 'walk and talk' event was held in the grounds of the Colebrooke Estate and on the morning, Lady Brookeborough opened the event, sending the 130 walkers on their way.

"For those ladies who came on the day and didn't feel they were able to walk the distance of two miles through the Colebrooke Estate, we had Greg McMullen, team leader of the Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Partnership and he delivered a talk to those ladies who had to remain in the hall," explained Heather, noting that overall it was a "very successful" day supported by a great number of people also including representatives of other organisations from across the local community.