Like many women who put their best foot forward for this year's Dublin mini marathon, Galway woman Annie Rosario was basking in a sense of achievement last week.
Instead of taking to the streets of Dublin, she fulfilled a lifelong ambition by finishing her 10 km run at the gates of Elvis Presley's mansion and burial ground in Memphis, Tennessee.
Annie works in Westside House, which provides accommodation for homeless women and children at risk in the Western Health Board region. She ran her marathon to raise money for the work done by the Galway Voluntary Social Services, which runs Westside House. It also provides emergency accommodation and services for homeless people in Galway.
In addition to Westside House, the services's facilities include Waterside House, which provides crisis accommodation for women and their children coming from violent homes.
There's also the Fairgreen Shelter for Homeless Men, which provides emergency accommodation and a range of services.
Galway Voluntary Social Services is funded by the health board and by Galway Corporation, but there is a shortfall. "We get 65 per cent of our finance from the health board, 20 per cent from Galway Corporation and the rest is up to us," Annie explains.
Referrals to Westside House come from the Western Health Board region, covering Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Since it opened in 1986 it has accommodated over 10,130 women and in the past four years it has accommodated and cared for almost 100 unaccompanied children.
According to Annie, these numbers reflect a dramatic increase in the number of children in need of crisis support services, where their family home is no longer safe.
In the case of homeless women, Westside House will assist them in finding longer term accommodation and continue to work with them to break the cycle of homelessness. Despite the booming economy, a record 5000 people are registered homeless in Ireland.
Anybody who wants to support Annie's run and contribute to the work of Galway Voluntary Social Services can contact the group at its headquarters on Francis Street, Galway, or by phone at 091-563581.