Fundraisers up for mountain challenge

A GROUP of friends from the Northside are rallying
together to raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.

The 10 long-time pals, all aged between 24 and 25,
will climb Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, in the coming months in
the hope of raising

?¬5,000 for the worthy charity.

Experienced hikers Anthony Bethel and Paddy
Cunningham, from Donagamede, will head the group on the trek that is due to
take place on May 12.

The cause is one that is close to the hearts of the
group as each member knows or knew someone suffering from cancer.

“A couple of members of my extended family died from
cancer and a member of Patrick’s family was recently diagnosed with cancer so
this is something that’s quite personal to us,

? Anthony stated.

“I’ve been involved in a few charity fundraising
events before but this is my first time officially organising one.

?

Anthony and Paddy are no strangers to long and
exhausting treks having previously walked the Wicklow Way from Dublin to
Carlow.

“I guess we have a good idea of what to expect but
we’re doing some preparation as a group in the lead up to Carrauntoohil,

?
Anthony said.

“It’s important that everyone’s fitness level is up to
the climb because the uphill parts will be quite exhausting.

?

The group will travel to Kerry the night before they
attempt the central and highest peak in the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range, which
measures over 1,000 metres in height.

The friends are hoping to quench their thirst and
celebrate their achievement on the night of May 12, which also coincides with
Paddy Cunningham’s birthday.

This week, Paddy and his friend Darragh Cashe will get
their chests and legs waxed as part of the fundraising drive.

“We said that we would get waxed if we managed to
raise more than e700 in our first week of fundraising and funnily enough the
money really started to come through then,

? Paddy explained.

“We said we’d take a video of it and post it up on our
Facebook page to humiliate ourselves.

?

The group comprises Donagamede locals Anthony Bethel,
Paddy Cunningham, David Smith, Robert Burke, Phil Corcoran and Kelly Cox, as
well as Raheny local Kate Smith, Clontarf resident Damien Howard and David
Purdue, Darragh Cashe and Suzanne Blake from Ayrfield.

For more information or to donate, visit
www.mycharity.ie/event/carrauntoohilclimb 2012/ or follow the group on Facebook
under the page Climb For Cancer.