Over €20,000 raised for Cancer Fund for Children after fundraising climb on Mayo mountain

In the heart of Mayo, over 70 dedicated supporters gathered on Saturday, June 7, for the inaugural Croagh Patrick Climb in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, raising over €20,000 and counting, for children and young people impacted by cancer.

The group were welcomed warmly by International Ambassador for the charity and former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and the Cancer Fund for Children team. Climbers set off from Murrisk and spirits were high as participants of all ages and backgrounds made the symbolic ascent of Ireland’s holy mountain, each with a personal story and shared purpose.

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Sinead O’Malley, Events and Campaigns Executive with Cancer Fund for Children, praised the atmosphere and support: “This was an incredibly special day where we gathered as a group and climbed the mountain. Events like this don’t just happen without a huge amount of help. A big thank you to the Friends of Croagh Patrick committee who supported our planning and who maintain the mountain so well.

"Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who came out early to make sure all our climbers were equipped and ready to go. A very big thank you to Colm and Liam from the Order of Malta who made the climb with us to ensure our safety, two amazing volunteers. And lastly, to the great people we climbed with, all who had their own reason and story for climbing, it was a privilege to meet them all.”

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Every week across the island of Ireland, approximately 10 children and young people (aged 0-24) are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer Fund for Children provides emotional, social and therapeutic support so families don’t face this experience alone. They provide this support in the family home, in hospital and through their therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge, based in Newcastle, Co Down.

This successful Croagh Patrick climb follows an exciting announcement from the charity that, following a public procurement process, they have appointed contractor Connolly & Fee Limited to begin work on their second Daisy Lodge, to be built in Cong, Co Mayo. Construction for this facility is due to begin this Summer.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.cancerfundforchildren.com.