As we announced last week, last year's Rose of Tralee of winner, Maria Walsh, is hitting the road for a great cause ahead of this year's festival. And we're coming along for the trek!  Maria's epic Trek2Tralee kicked off today from her home town of Shrule, Co. Mayo, where she and her team (along with our very own Cassie) started the 242 kilometre trip to the Kingdom. The gang will be running, walking and cycling the journey to Tralee over the next three days before arriving at Denny Street on Friday afternoon. They'll be stopping in towns in Galway, Clare and Limerick along the way, so keep your eyes peeled for the team throughout the week! Trek2Tralee is raising important funds for three fantastic Irish charities; Barretstown, Donal Walsh #LiveLifeand Development Perspectives. Each of these causes offers Irish people the chance to become empowered through themselves as individuals and within their communities. Today we're taking a closer look at Barretstown, the first of the charities dear to Maria's heart. Founded by Hollywood actor Paul Newman in 1994, Barretstown rebuilds the lives of children affected by serious illness, through a life changing Therapeutic Recreation programme. The facilities, dedicated team and volunteers ensure that the children visiting Barretstown are building a strong and happy future. Barretstown is a specially-designed camp that provides Therapeutic Recreation programmes for children with serious illnesses and their families. All of the children and families come to Barretstown free of charge. Everything, including accommodation, food, medical assistance and round-trip airfares are provided at no cost to the family. Barretstown is supported by donations and the fundraising efforts of corporate supporters, individuals and community groups. Find out more about the charity's life-changing work in the video below - along with the highlights of day one of Maria's Trek2Tralee! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03UQZ1Ay-Kc&feature=youtu.be For more information about Trek2Tralee, or to donate to one of the three charities click here.