Mayo GAA is delighted to announce the extension of its charity partnership with Mayo Cancer Support Association for a further 12 months, building on what has been described as one of the most successful collaborations in recent years.

The renewed partnership follows an extraordinary year in 2025, highlighted by the hugely successful Brave the Drop Croke Park Abseil Challenge, which raised an incredible €337,251 in support of Mayo Cancer Support.

Seamus Tuohy, Cathaoirleach, Coiste Chontae Mhaigh Eo paid tribute to the collective effort across the county and looked forward for the year ahead, “Our partnership with Mayo Cancer Support in 2025 has been a tremendous success and something we are immensely proud of as an organisation. The impact was felt right across our clubs in Mayo, with members, players, volunteers and supporters stepping forward to make a real difference in their communities. The Brave the Drop Challenge captured the spirit of solidarity and courage that defines both the GAA and Mayo Cancer Support, and raising over €337,000 was an outstanding achievement. We are looking forward to building on that momentum in 2026 and continuing to support the vital work being carried out at Rock Rose House.”

Mayo Cancer Support Association CEO, Orla Gillespie, paid tribute to Mayo GAA for their charity partnership initiative saying it proved a game changer for Mayo Cancer Support. The backing of the GAA meant the charity was able to promote the vital work that it does at a grass roots level through the network of GAA clubs in Mayo, helping to significantly raise the charity’s profile. Meanwhile, the unprecedented funds raised throughout 2025 have enable the charity to start planning for the much-needed expansion of its premises so that it can support even more people in the coming years.

“The demand for our services has grown exponentially in recent years and we are now operating at capacity in terms of our existing property at Rock Rose House,” Ms Gillespie explained. “The backing of Mayo GAA in 2025 means we are now in a position to start exploring our options in terms of facility expansion.

“Our fundraising need will be greater than ever as we pursue this development and we are absolutely honoured to have the opportunity to partner with Mayo GAA again in 2026. We are excited to confirm that we will be running the Brave the Drop Challenge again this year. We hope the people of Mayo will once again get on board with that and we look forward to lots more positive outcomes from our partnership with Mayo GAA in the coming year.”

If you would like to take on the Brave the Drop Challenge in 2026 please contact Mayo Cancer Support Association on (094)9038407; email info@mayocancersupport.ie or text (087)9246875 and someone will get back to you.

About Mayo Cancer Support:

Mayo Cancer Support Association is a registered charity that provides free emotional and psychological support to anyone living in the Co Mayo area who has been impacted by a cancer diagnosis or a cancer bereavement. Its services include professional one-to-one counselling, complementary therapies, group activities, survivorship programmes and services for children and young people including play therapy and creative psychotherapy. The services are available to cancer patients/survivors and their loved ones. The charity is endorsed by the National Cancer Control Programme as operating in accordance with best practice standards for community cancer support centres. It is dependent on fundraising to cover almost half of its annual operating costs (approx. €250,000). For more information see: https://www.mayocancersupport.ie/