THE boys of Belvedere College have once again hit the high-road for their annual Blockpull journey.
The boys were joined by comedian PJ Gallagher for the launch of the unique fundraiser, which will see over 60 students from the college pull a block from Dublin to Galway over the course of a week.
The fundraiser was first run in 1986 and is now in its 31st year. It has raised over €1.7million for charities over the years.
The money raised at this year’s Blockpull will go to support three charities: Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, St Francis Hospice and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
The students will clock up ‘miracle miles’ as they walk with a 6ft tall block that they have constructed especially for the occasion. It is also decorated by the students to celebrate each charity. The mammoth journey will take the boys from Dublin to Galway over the course of seven days, as they make their way through dozens of towns and villages along the way,.
They aim to reach Eyre Square in Galway by 2pm on Sunday, June 19. The students have already been busy collecting money for their three chosen causes on the streets of Dublin and hope to raise €60,000 in total, with €20,000 going to each charity.
Angela McNulty, Special Events Manager at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital said: “The annual Belvedere College Blockpull is a highlight in the Temple Street fundraising calendar.
“Over the years, the students of Belvedere College have gone above and beyond for our hospital and raised vital funds that have had a huge impact on our patients and their families. We are so proud to call Belvedere College our friends as well as our neighbours.”
Padraig Mallon, CEO of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, added: “As this is our 40th anniversary, it is a very special year for us as an organisation, and we are incredibly grateful to the students and staff of Belvedere College for their continued support and fundraising through the Blockpull.
With outlets across the city, including in Dublin 12 and Dublin 24, as well as Dun Laoghaire, fundraising is the lifeblood of Irish Guide Dogs, Mr Mallon poited out.
“More than 80 per cent of our income is raised through events like the Blockpull that help fund our life-changing services,” he added.
“The students’ heroic efforts mean we can train more dogs to allow people who are vision impaired and families of children with autism live their lives as independently as possible. We wish the students the very best of luck in their journey.”
Fintan Fagan, CEO of St Francis Hospice, stated: “We face huge fundraising challenges every year.
We are so absolutely overwhelmed and amazed by the extraordinary commitment of the Belvedere students and their trojan efforts.
“We are so deeply grateful to the students for all that they do and wish them every success with the journey ahead.”