More than 500 support Enfield’s Sinead on Tara walk

More than 570 walkers descended on the Hill of Tara on Saturday to support Enfield's Sinead Heffernan, who is one of this year's Operation Transformation leaders. The event was hosted by Meath Local Sports Partnership in association with the Irish Sports Council and was part of nationwide initiative with walks held in every county around Ireland. Despite the high winds and showers, Sinead led her merry troupe along the 4.5km Sli na Slainte route. Out in force to assist the walkers on the day were the Gardai, Civil Defence, HSE walking leaders and stewards from Tara AC and Tara Walking Club. RTE television crews were down to film the event and, despite the weather, there was a great atmosphere with every age group from young children to the elderly taking part. Mary Murphy of Meath Local Sports Partnership has thanked Frank Fahey from Go For Life for keeping the crowds entertained and warmed-up; to Flexibus, the Lismullen Conference Centre for facilitating the overflow of cars from the Hill of Tara, and to Maguire's Cafe for providing much-needed hot drinks for all the finishers. Each of the nationwide walks took place along an Irish Heart Foundation Sli na Slainte route. There are five Sli routes in Meath – Tara, Navan, Kells, Trim and Bettystown. Over the coming months, Meath Local Sports Partnership plans to work with each of the walking clubs in those areas and assist in organising scheduled walks on a regular basis. Continuing with the support already given to Sinead, Meath Local Sports Partnership will liaise with Enfield's Na Fianna Athletic Club and develop a meet and train group for anyone interested in meeting as a group to go walking or light jogging. Anyone interested in participating any of the initiatives should contact Meath LSP office on (046) 906 7337 or check the website www.meathsports.ie for further information. Sinead Heffernan is one of the five leaders taking part in this year's Operation Transformation programme with mentors, including Dunshaughlin personal trainer, Karl Henry. Aged 37, she owns and runs five bakeries and lives in Enfield with her husband, Stephen, and their four sons. Sinead is 5' 6†and weighs 15 stone 8lbs. Her target weight is 12 stone. She bought a bakery two years ago, which has five shops with 38 staff members. Presenter Kathryn Thomas, along with the three experts, Karl Henry, medical doctor Eva Orsmond, and HSE clinical psychologist Dr Eddie Murphy, plan to help the five transform their health and lifestyle. During the course of the programme, the five leaders will have to kick their bad food and exercise habits and restyle their wardrobe on TV, on radio and online. The plan is that the five will transform their lives by following a tough exercise regime, a weekly weigh-in and by preparing a meal by meal diet plan for two months. 'Operation Transformation' is aired on RTE One on Wednesdays at 8pm.