Mayo Cancer Support’s Brave the Drop Abseil Challenge Launch

 

Local charity and Mayo GAA plan to conquer Croker

Locals challenged to abseil 150ft from Croke Park in aid of Mayo Cancer Support

Local charity, Mayo Cancer Support Association, in conjunction with Mayo GAA, is planning a trip to Croke Park like no other on Friday, October 10th next.

On that date, it is hoped to have up to 100 people take turns to abseil 150ft from the roof of the national stadium while raising much-needed funds to support the operations of Mayo Cancer Support which provides free emotional support to anyone who has been impacted by a cancer diagnosis or bereavement.

The event, dubbed the “Brave the Drop Challenge”, was officially launched in Hastings Insurance Mac Hale Park, Castlebar last Friday night 18th July

As the official charity partner of Mayo GAA this year, Mayo Cancer Support is recruiting up to 50 members from GAA clubs all over the county to undertake the abseil challenge and some well-known players have already signed up to take part.

The remaining 50 places are available to anyone else who might be interested in participating.

Speaking at the launch, Mayo Cancer Support Association manager, Orla Gillespie, said Mayo Cancer Support depends on fundraising to cover up to 45% of its annual operating costs and also has ambitious plans to expand its services in the coming years.

The abseil challenge appealed to the charity as it offers participants a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in return for their fundraising efforts. Abseiling is also analogous to the work of Mayo Cancer Support which offers those experiencing the challenges of a cancer journey the vital support they need until they get their feet back on the ground, she added.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo GAA, Seamus Tuohy, said this is a very worthy cause and the County Board and all the clubs in the county are delighted to support Mayo Cancer Support Association.

“There is not a single family in this county that hasn’t being affected by cancer at some stage and in some way and the County Board are delighted to support organisations like Mayo Cancer Support who do tremendous work supporting individuals and families in every way possible when the need is greatest,” he remarked.

 

Other speakers on the night included Mayo Cancer Support Association Chairperson, Joan Fitzgerald, who outlined how she had personally availed of and benefited from the charity’s services during her own cancer experience. Senator Mark Duffy and Deputy Paul Lawless TD also addressed the attendance.

 

If you are celebrating a milestone birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion this year and would like to mark it with a unique challenge, or if you have been impacted by cancer and would like to give back then the Brave the Drop Challenge is for you.

Registration costs €50 which will be recorded as your first donation. There is a minimum fundraising target of €500 per participant and Mayo Cancer Support Association will provide as much support as possible to participants in reaching this goal.

Terms and conditions apply including that participants must be over 18 years of age and medically fit to take part.

For more information or to register to take part contact Mayo Cancer Support with your name, mobile number and email address via info@mayocancersupport.ie or text (087)9246875.