Irish rugby star leads nine day charity walk to Mayo for Cancer Fund for Children

Irish rugby legend Rory Best is calling on business leaders in Mayo to join him on his third Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge in aid of Cancer Fund for Children. 

From September 12 to 20, Rory Best will captain a team of business leaders in walking nine marathons in nine days, covering over 235 miles throughout Ireland.

Each participant will walk 50,000 steps daily across Derry, Belfast, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, Limerick, and Galway before finishing in Cong, Mayo, at the site of Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short break centre.

Speaking at a launch event in Dublin yesterday (Thursday, March 5), Rory Best gave his backing to the cause.

Every Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge has been incredibly special and humbling, inspired by Cancer Fund for Children’s ambition to build a second therapeutic short break centre called Daisy Lodge on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong, Mayo.

“Across the last five years, I have seen this vision come to life, and this year’s challenge carries even more weight as Daisy Lodge is currently being built and is set to open in spring 2027," he stated.

"I’ve been privileged to turn the sod on this site and to see it go from an empty space full of potential to a working construction site, and finally to a safe space for families has been so amazing."

In 2021, Rory completed his first Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge, walking 180 miles from Cancer Fund for Children’s first Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down, to the site of their second centre in Cong, Co. Mayo, raising over €1 million. 

READ MORE: Mayo town to host ‘Meet the Champions’ autism inclusion event

The second Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge in 2023 saw Rory walking 220 miles from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Cong, raising €1.5 million, breaking ground on the new Daisy Lodge on arrival.

Speaking about their support, Joey Wynne, CEO at Arachas, said: “We are delighted to once again support Rory’s Miles to Mayo this year, and we have been an integral partner since the beginning of the project.

"We believe in supporting communities all around Ireland, and our staff, all around the country, have taken this project to their hearts by organising events, walking, climbing, and cycling to raise money and to support Rory and the Cancer Fund for Children team.

“This year will be no different, as the walk passes several of our offices and we now look forward to the challenge again this year as we approach the realisation of the dream and the opening of the Daisy Lodge facility in Cong, Co. Mayo.”

Founder of Keogh’s Farm, Tom Keogh, a business leader who has already signed up for September’s Rory’s Miles to Mayo walk, said: “I took part in the 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge last year and was completely blown away by the experience.

“It was incredible to come together with other business leaders, to put our physical and mental endurance to the test, and to raise vital funds for families across the island of Ireland who are navigating the unimaginable hardship of a childhood cancer diagnosis. 

“I’m proud and excited to be stepping away from the farm once again this year, this time with Rory Best on his Miles to Mayo - The Trilogy challenge.”

More information can be found on https://cancerfundforchildren.com/event/rorys-miles-to-mayo-the-trilogy/.

READ NEXT: Minister Dillon opens new housing developments across Mayo