Rugby legend Rory Best helps raise over £4 million to support children with cancer by completing his longest walking challenge yet
Ulster and Ireland rugby legend Rory Best and a team of 21 business leaders have certainly went the extra mile after completing a nine-day walking challenge across the island of Ireland.
‘Rory’s Miles to Mayo’ saw the former rugby hero and his team of walkers complete the 235-mile trek across Ireland to raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children.
The walk started from Londonderry to Limavady on Saturday, September 12 and travelled from Bangor to Belfast on Sunday, September 13.
They then reached their final destination, Cancer Fund for Children’s second Daisy Lodge therapeutic short break centre in Cong, Co Mayo, for children and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis, on Sunday (September 20).
The 21 participants were set a target to raise £50,000 each which they all successfully achieved, helping ‘Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy’ raise around £1.45 million when combined with other donations.
The feat of endurance is the final part of a series of three physical fundraising challenges led by Rory for Cancer Fund for Children. Combined, the three challenges will have raised over £4 million to help the charity provide and expand its support services for children and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis.
Funds raised will go towards equipping Daisy Lodge, Cong, and help get it ready for opening its doors next year to enable Cancer Fund for Children to support more children and families.
At the nearly completed Daisy Lodge in Cong, representatives from Cancer Fund for Children and the headline sponsor Arachas Corporate Brokers unveiled a commemorative plaque to Rory that will be displayed on the grounds of Daisy Lodge in Cong in recognition of the rugby legend’s contribution to its development.
Rory said: “Three years ago, we turned the first sod at the site of the Daisy Lodge centre in Cong at the end of our first Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge, so to come full circle and finish the final stage of the trilogy at the nearly completed centre, was incredibly special.
“Short breaks at Daisy Lodge provide children with cancer a space to rest, time with their families and the opportunity to build connections with others their own age who are going through the same thing. Here they get to be treated like the stars they are.
“I’m absolutely blown away by the support of the extremely generous people who participated in the walk and those who supported our fundraising goals. Though the walk was one of the hardest physical challenges I’ve ever undertaken, knowing the funds raised will go towards helping Cancer Fund for Children run its vital Daisy Lodge centre for children and families going through inconceivably tough times made every step completely worth it.”
CEO of Cancer Fund for Children Phil Alexander said: “We’re thrilled to announce that Rory Best’s three-part fundraising challenge has raised a total of over £4 million and we are in complete awe of the unwavering support we’ve received from every corner of the island of Ireland along the way.
“We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Rory Best for his leadership throughout the challenges and to all the inspiring participants who joined him along the way. Your commitment to supporting children and families affected by the devasting impact of cancer is admirable and your dedication and support are hugely appreciated.”