Ahead of this year's Rose of Tralee, last year's winner Maria Walsh is hitting the road for a great cause. And we're coming along for the ride!  From 11th - 14th August, Maria and her team will be running, walking and cycling 242 kilometres as part of the Trek 2 Tralee. Along with our own Cassie, Maria will be joined by Jen Feighery, wellness and fitness guru, Marcus Hewlett, Born to Run Mentor and cycling king, Jim Breen. Kicking off on 11th August, the gang will depart from Maria's home town of Shrule in Mayo, and arrive on Denny Street in Tralee on Friday 14th August. What's the aim of the trek? Trek 2 Tralee will raise for three fantastic Irish charities; Barretstown, Donal Walsh #LiveLife and Development Perspectives. Each of these causes offers Irish people the chance to become empowered through themselves as individuals and within their communities. Maria said: " The Rose of Tralee Festival offered me a podium to share my stories with people right across the country, in particular our young people. I wanted to show people that the Festival offers much more then the two nights of television. As I travelled around the world, I was drawn to the idea that the heart of the Irish Diaspora is people sharing their stories. Our very own Festival was created by friends sitting around a table talking and debating they could better their community. And that's what lies at the heart of this Trek. The point of empowerment lies within stories being shared and the belief that as a collective group, we can all make a difference. Trek 2 Tralee is designed to empower individuals to join us, connect with the many towns and villages over the five counties we travel through and together as a collective community empower each other to be proud of our the many chapters and stories that shape our lives." We can't wait to take part - stay tuned for our videos from the road!   For more information and to donate to Trek 2 Tralee click here.