Tribute to Lorna Mitchelle

national | miscellaneous | news report Saturday September 01, 2007 02:57 by Michelle Mok fmuldowney at yahoo dot com

Mr Frank Muldowney from Dublin, is the man who is creating a Global Pilgrimage for Peace from country to country, but the roots of it came from the organiser of the MS Society in Dublin, Mrs Lorna Mitchell. Her vision was the beginning of hundreds of peace and charity walkers across Ireland and abroad. She has now retired after 18 years of organised walks from China to South Africa to Peru.

Lorna's walkers - Peru 2004

A message from Frank Muldowney in Ireland, to Lorna Mitchell.

In 1988 I was desperate to make a difference by walking across Ireland, just 3 years after my illness. No one would take a risk on me, as I have never walked anywhere and my health was in doubt. It never was really looked as seriously.

Six months later a neighbour told my mother, of the Irish Multiple Sclerosis Society walking event. A walk raising funds for MS, by 40 people who would walk about 300km from Nantes to Paris. Lorna Mitchell was the organiser, and as my speech was a problem in expressing myself, my mother made an appointment to see if the organiser would allow me to go.

That day changed my life, as Lorna never seemed to doubt me at all, and I was allowed to go with an inspirational group of people to make a small difference for those who suffers from MS.

On that journey I met Jim Blewitt (RIP) who became my best friend, and dozens of new friends who re-educated me, and my own dream was born. I completed 13 international walks with this group and from these walks I knew the potential of creating a Global Pilgrimage for Peace.

From 1989 to today, Lorna Mitchell organised walks for MS in Europe, Africa, Asia, America North & South and because of it, new centres for MS suffers have being built. She has not only helped the lives of those who suffers from MS, but she has created friendships between hundreds of people between Irish people and people of different cultures and creeds, creating a wave of peace, optimism and possibilities.

The MS walkers were awarded by the Taoiseach Bertie Aherne in 1997, and once again Lorna was the one behind the scenes who created all these successful journeys.

For myself, she opened a door for me, to express my own visions of peace, and 'Harvey' was born. (www.believinginharvey.com)

Lorna you may never know how many people you have touched, and this ripple effect will continue.

Namaste Lorna, have a wonderful retirement.

Frank Muldowney