Mayo family to raise funds for Daisy Lodge with ‘Climb for Fergal’

A Ballinrobe family are hoping to raise funds for a local charity in memory of their son and brother.

‘Climb for Fergal’ will raise much needed funds for Cancer Fund for Children and Daisy Lodge in Cong.

The fundraiser will see participants climb the Reek in memory of the south Mayo native, Fergal Loftus, who succumbed to cancer after a battle borne with dignity and courage, four years ago.

The Loftus family are inviting friends and acquaintances to join them on Saturday, May 25 in a climb of Croagh Patrick at 12pm, with refreshments and music afterwards at Campbell’s pub, Murrisk.

_{The poster for 'Climb for Fergal'}

The event aims to raise vital funds for Irish charity, Cancer Fund for Children.

Their mission is that no child on the island of Ireland should face a cancer diagnosis alone. The charity is currently in the process of building a new facility, Daisy Lodge, on the shores of Lough Corrib at Lisloughrey, just outside the village of Cong.

The family decided to organise this event having commenced climbing the Reek in May every year after his passing, given that this vital centre is being built close to their home in South Mayo and to try to help families cope with the devastating diagnosis which touches so many families.

Cancer Fund for children provide short breaks to families from the Republic of Ireland in the existing Daisy Lodge in Co Down. 

However, for every one family referred, another six families must go on a waiting list as Daisy Lodge is running at full capacity.  

It is now their vision to open a second therapeutic short break centre and welcome families for breaks within the next two years. This will allow the charity to increase the number of children and parents they support from 1,800 to 4,000 each year.

The project in Cong is currently underway with groundworks ongoing, and building set to commence this autumn. 

Anyone who would like to get involved in ‘Climb for Fergal’ can contact Mary McHugh Murphy, Connaught Regional Fundraiser for Cancer fund for children at mary@cancerfundforchildren.ie .

Additionally, you can donate on the fundraisers iDonate page.