Business leaders conquer 26 Irish peaks in just nine days to raise €1.5m for children facing cancer
BUSINESS leaders from across Ireland and Britain have scaled the highest mountain in each of 26 counties across Ireland in just nine days to raise €1.5m in support of children facing cancer.
The 26 Mountains 2 Mayo challenge saw 25 participants endure rain, winds, low visibility and gruelling terrain, as well as sleep deprivation from early morning starts and late nights.
The physical and mental challenge saw them climb a total of 11,000m — the equivalent of ascending Mount Everest 1.25 times — in aid of the charity, Cancer Fund for Children.
"This was more than a test of strength, it was a show of solidarity with children who climb their own mountains every day," said Roger Johnston, CEO of Axial3D and organiser of the challenge.
The team at the base of Mweelrea Mountain, the highest peak in Connacht, after completing their challenge, which was supported by campaign sponsor, Arachas Corporate Brokers (Image: Trish Forde)
Beginning with Errigal in Co. Donegal on June 7, the team covered the hills and mountains across Ulster, before moving into Connacht, across to Leinster — where they were joined by some Irish rugby legends — and then down to Munster.
Finally, having tested every ounce of physical and mental endurance, they made their way back to Connacht for the last leg — Mweelrea in Co. Mayo on June 15.
"Every step we took, no matter how steep, was inspired by the families who face cancer with courage and resilience," added Mr Johnston.
"The pain in our legs is nothing compared to what young people have to endure, and we're proud to have walked for them."
Joey Wynne, CEO of Arachas Corporate Brokers, Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, Roger Johnston, CEO of Axial3D and 26 Mountains 2 Mayo challenge organiser, and Maria Small, Partnership and Philanthropy Advisor at Cancer Fund for Children (Image: Trish Forde)
The funds raised will go directly to Cancer Fund for Children, which offers vital emotional and therapeutic support to children across Ireland.
The charity's services are delivered in hospitals, family homes and at its own therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle, Co. Down.
With demand far exceeding capacity, the charity is now preparing to build a second Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo, with construction set to begin in July 2025.
Pictured at Ashford Lodge following the final climb are CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, Phil Alexander, and Young Ambassador for the charity, Vanessa Matczak (Image: Trish Forde)
"Every week, approximately 10 children and young people in Ireland are diagnosed with cancer," said Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children.
"The 26 Mountains 2 Mayo team has not only raised vital funds but awareness, spirit and hope.
"Their passion and perseverance are an inspiration to us all and a lifeline to the families we support."
CEO of Axial3D and challenge organiser, Roger Johnston, CEO of campaign sponsor Arachas Corporate Brokers, Joey Wynne and CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, Phil Alexander (Image: Trish Forde)
The fundraiser was sponsored by Arachas Corporate Brokers, who have previously supported the charity.
Joey Wynne, Arachas CEO said: "This challenge reminds us what we can achieve when we unite for a cause greater than ourselves.
"The strength and humanity shown by this team is nothing short of incredible and Arachas is proud to stand behind such life-changing work.
"Together, we've climbed for courage, for care, and for every child who needs to know they're not alone."
To support Cancer Fund for Children, please click here, or to learn more about the 26 Mountains 2 Mayo challenge, please click here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Insights can reveal the way forward
Readers can see the results of the Irish Examiner's national women's survey in these pages today, distilling the attitudes and experiences of over 1,000 women from across the country. Those women articulated their experiences of fertility, birth and pregnancy loss, mental health services, cosmetic treatments, menopause, and other matters — offering valuable insights into the realities of women's lives. For instance, while we may be familiar anecdotally with the difficulties some people have accessing GPs, the survey shows that two in five of Irish women feel it is difficult to get a GP appointment. If more than 40% of the women in Ireland share that experience, then surely this is one of the starkest yet least-publicised crises in our healthcare system. The survey also gives us hints and indications of how other contemporary challenges impinge on women. One in four said they would delay childbirth until they had achieved financial or career goals, and it is easy to discern the housing crisis lurking in the background here. Childbirth is a major theme in the survey, with clear signs that family size in Ireland is likely to continue to fall — half of the mothers surveyed with a single child indicated that they would like a second child, a major change from the large families of the 70s and even the 80s. This is a finding with clear demographic implications for the country going forward. The role of the State in women's lives is weighed up here, with plenty of support for the State-funded hormone replacement treatment programme, but its faltering introduction is echoed in the cold facts: Just 48% of women in menopause have availed of the scheme. The information about specific areas of women's lives in this survey should inform how policy is determined, and how those policies are subsequently implemented. That is the true value of data like this. However, there are also more general challenges to be found among these results. For instance, it should certainly give everyone pause to read that 38% of women surveyed often feel lonely or isolated. That is an astonishing revelation. It may be some consolation to some of those women to see that they are not the only ones to feel that way, but a far greater consolation would be the provision of better and more accessible health services for women across the board. A worrying trend in public life As reported here, the Cork office of Taoiseach Micheál Martin was vandalised recently. This is far from the first time the property has been attacked, however, it was splashed with red paint and graffiti left on the walls on this occasion. In the recent past, the Taoiseach has also received personal threats and has been warned that he will be prevented from going about his job in public spaces. Robust exchanges are a natural part of politics, but this is going beyond the pale and should be condemned in the strongest terms. Such vandalism and threats are completely unacceptable in and of themselves, and also as markers of a worrying trend in Irish public life. Issuing threats and the use of other intimidatory tactics are indicative of an increasingly dangerous atmosphere in Irish politics. Ours is not the only country witnessing a coarsening of public discourse, but there are lessons to be learned from other jurisdictions. For instance, the growth of far-right groups in Britain was linked directly to the killing of MP Jo Cox in 2016. In the US, there has been a sharp rise in political violence in recent years, ranging from the invasion of the US Capitol in January 2021 to the killings last weekend in Minnesota of Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, while another local politician and his wife were also shot several times though they are recovering in hospital. Readers may point to significant differences between Ireland and the US in particular, where the sharp polarisation of political views, the toxic influence of president Donald Trump, and the wide availability of guns make for a deadly mixture. However, there is no room for complacency here when the person in the highest elected office in the land has his premises vandalised and faces threats to his safety. The operation of a free and open democracy is predicated on the safety of all citizens, who are entitled to live without fear or intimidation. Golden ticket Any reader who did not reflexively check a EuroMillions ticket in the last day or two either possesses superhuman restraint or is simply lying. News that an Irish player is in line for a €250m payday has probably led to many a daydream. Though the figure is so high as to be difficult to grasp, that is hardly a bar to idle thoughts of Caribbean hideaways and fleets of luxury cars. The general advice from the National Lottery to the winner is to have a cup of tea and stay calm, which is reasonable. Older readers may recall the likes of Viv Nicholson, who blew a pools win in the 1960s, and whose chaotic life remains a cautionary tale for those who suddenly wake up rich. For the benefit of any reader who may be fishing a ticket out of their coat pocket or from behind the couch, the numbers are 13, 22, 23, 44, 49, and the Lucky Stars were 3 and 5. Get in touch if they look familiar.
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
From fertility to fillers, Ireland's women give their views on the issues that matter to them
A third of women cannot afford to have a baby, or another child, with younger women in particular forced to put family plans on hold. One in three also said they would delay having children because of their career or until they have reached certain financial goals, according to an Irish Examiner Ipsos B+A national opinion poll. The study also found 20% of women have difficulty getting pregnant, with half of those considering fertility treatment. Family sizes continue to fall, with just half of mothers with a single child saying they would like to have a second. The average Irish family is now 2.29 children, reflecting falling fertility rates worldwide. The survey of 1,000 women gives a unique insight into the state of women's health. The highlights include: Women want to drink less alcohol, particularly those aged between 25-34; Two in five (38%) have sought help for mental health issues but there are difficulties accessing qualified professionals; 39% of women often feel lonely or isolated; Three-quarters of women over 35 have experienced menopause, but only half of women in perimenopause or menopause seek medical/HCP advice or support; 10% have had Botox, 6% fillers and 12% either treatment; A third would consider freezing their eggs — with half of women aged between 25-34 indicating they would do so. The survey found 68% of women who gave birth rated support during labour as good or very good. However, 45% of women aged 25 to 34 rated their experience of post-natal care as fair or poor, even though the survey showed they were less likely to struggle than older woman had in previous years. Women were very critical of supports after miscarriage and felt they did not get the right information. Access to a GP is a growing problem, with 41% saying it is difficult to get a GP appointment in their area. Fertility struggles featured strongly, with 20% of women saying they experienced this. Despite the State now supporting a funded scheme, only 9% of women felt fertility treatment in Ireland was reasonably priced. Access to a GP is also a growing problem, with 41% saying it is difficult to get a GP appointment in their area. Of those who saw a GP, 42% rated the value for money of the appointment as poor or very poor. Just over half have private health insurance, even though 49% of those who answered said insurance gives poor or very poor value for money. Opinions on care in menopause varied by age, likely reflecting easier access to supports, including HRT now than even five years ago. So while 80% of women aged 35-49 have sought help from a GP or other healthcare worker, just 46% aged over 65 had ever done so. Many women at 45% of those who answered, believe cosmetic procedures are common in their age group. However, just 12% have had either Botox or lip fillers done themselves. The survey found women aged 24-34 feel more positive towards enhancements, including surgery, than older women. A third have used online health services, with 32% following health and wellness influencers online. Just over a third say they feel positive towards people using the weight loss drug Ozempic, with a quarter considering taking the drug themselves. The majority of women (59%) rated their overall health as good or very good, with 58% exercising regularly. Over half take regular vitamins or mineral supplements, maintain a healthy diet, and prioritise getting enough sleep. A tenth are in therapy or counselling, with 14% meditating regularly. The survey was carried out by Ipsos B+A for Feelgood, with a nationally representative sample of 1,078 women aged over 16. Read More Financial constraints and housing putting people off having children, survey finds
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish universities rank among global 800 for first time
Ireland's universities feature among the global top 800 for the first time in an 'outstanding' set of international league tables published on Thursday. With seven of the eight included universities improving their rankings this year, Ireland has been recognised by the QS World University Rankings as the country 'most improved' in Europe, and second most improved in the world, only behind Azerbaijan. Ireland's top-ranked university, Trinity College Dublin, remains within the top 100 globally, rising from 87 in 2025 to 75. University College Cork (UCC) has also, for the first time, ranked within the top 250 universities globally, leaping 27 places to its highest ranking in 10 years. In 2025, it was ranked at 273, compared to 246 in 2026. The university has put the jump of almost 50 places in under two years down to a collective effort from staff across the institution, as well as improvements across academic reputation, employment outcomes and in its research citation levels. UCC president Professor John O'Halloran said its position within the top 250 universities in the world was a key target in the university's strategic plan. "The ranking result reflects the dedication and hard work of all our staff and is one that our students, staff, and alumni all over the world can be proud of," he said. The QS World University Rankings 2026 ranks more than 1,500 institutions across 106 countries and territories, based on categories such as academic reputation, graduate outcomes, and research. QS senior vice president Ben Sowter said Ireland's "outstanding results" this year are "testament to the dedication of academics, administrators, and students across the eight universities from the country included in the ranking". UCC has for the first time ranked within the top 250 universities globally. Picture: Dan Linehan This year's set of rankings found Ireland outperformed many counterparts in Europe, ranking third on average for its employer reputation score, behind the Netherlands and Sweden. Every ranked Irish institution improved in the international students ratio indicator, which, according to QS, indicates Irish campuses are "increasingly benefiting from international networking opportunities, cultural exchanges and diverse learning experiences". While improvements in the academic reputation category were also noted, so too was the fact that all Irish universities fell or maintained their score from last year when it came to faculty for students. This makes student faculty, and the student experience, a key focus area for Irish higher education providers, QS said. "Universities have welcomed additional core funding in the government's budget for 2025 but noted that the €307m funding gap identified by government in 2022 will still not have been fully closed. "Universities need to continue to ensure students have access to necessary staff providing quality teaching." Trinity College Dublin provost Linda Doyle said: 'A sustainable funding model for higher education in Ireland is key to helping us to thrive. While increased core funding helps us to achieve our ambitions on the national and international stage, we need to see an absolute step-change in how universities and research are funded in Ireland.' Internationally, MIT retains its top position in the rankings for the 14th year in a row, followed by Imperial College London and Stanford University. Read More Over 250 children may have no school place, but minister refuses to confirm numbers
