Gaelforce to be reckoned with as lads raise € 12k
CHALLENGERS MAKE MASSIVE EFFORT FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS UNIT
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Wednesday September 01 2010
A GROUP of charity-minded Fingallians have completed a gruelling test of mental and physical ability to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis team at Temple Street Children's Hospital.
The lads look set to raise € 12,000 from their participation in the Gaelforce West Challenge, which attracted in the region of 2,000 people. The Gaelforce challenge involved running, hiking, cycling and kayaking around the beautiful landscape surrounding Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo.
Stage 1 involved a 12km beach, trail and road run. Stage 2 saw the group undertake a 1.6km kayak across Killary Harbour. Stage 3 involved a 3.5k trail and road run, followed by a 32.5km cycle. Stage 5 involved a 4.5km mountain run and hike, followed by a 12.5km cycle and a 200m sprint.
The local team was led by Malahide man Philip Ahearne, who has two children with Cystic Fibrosis.
He was joined by Rob O'Sullivan, Norman and Roy Hogan, Paul Ahearne, Colin Coady, Fergus Rooney, David Stenson, Jim Duncan and James Reilly. Most of the lads know one another through Malahide United and Aston Village Football Clubs or Malahide Golf Club.
All the participants managed to finish the course in times ranging from 5 hours 19 minutes to 8 hours 41 minutes. Most importantly however, they all finished in good health and with nothing more than a few bumps and grazes.
The lads are looking forward to next year when they hope to undertake the Gaelforce challenge once again. The CF unit in Temple Street is headed by Dr Dubheasa Slattery and has been developed into a state-of-the-art facility to cater for over 100 patients. However, there is still a requirement for further equipment.
If you would like to make a donation to this cause you can you can make a direct lodgement to any Ulster Bank Branch quoting Sort Code - 985280 Account Number; 10224825; Name Gaelforce 4 CF Ref; Your name or else online through www. mycharity. ie/ event/ gf4cf2010.
Alternatively you can forward a cheque to Sarah Jane St Leger made payable to Children's University Hospital Limited to Children's University Hospital, 70 Eccles St, Dublin 7.
