Donegal man completes seven summits over 13 hours for one worthy cause

Miceal Boyle’s expedition to scale Errigal seven times for Palestine has “went really well.”

The 38-year-old set off at 5am to undertake the challenge on Easter Saturday, designating one hour and 30 minutes to each climb. 

However, on the day “with breaks and stopping to chat with people it took 13 hours in total,” Miceal told DonegalLive. “The first five were okay but I found the last two pretty tough.”

Miceal was dedicated to the cause as he has been heartbroken by the scenes unfolding in the Middle East and felt he had to do something to help “so I have decided to try and raise funds and awareness for Palestine.”

The Annagry-native is an experienced mountain climber, but seven summits is still no easy feat. Each climb takes a toll and by the fifth Miceal was finding it tough but persevered, “there were a good few people who joined me throughout the day which helped a lot. There were a few people who did three or four climbs, but I was the only one to do seven,” he revealed.

The reason for undertaking seven was because it is the seventh month of the conflict in Gaza. 

Miceal, a manufacturing engineer, originally from Meendernasloe, has climbed in Iceland and Chile and has been a member of a mountain running group. He completed the seven sisters 30km race last year. Miceal also climbs Errigal ‘fairly regularly’ but four was the most times consecutively prior to ‘Seven Errigals for Gaza’. 

Miceal’s wife, Christine and daughter Aileach  also fundraised by hosting a bake sale during the climbs which raised approximately €1200. 

“I haven't counted the final amount raised yet, but it's close to €9000 which is great,” Miceal said. “It is a  testament to people's generosity. I've left the fundraiser open until the weekend, and I'll get the money all transferred over on Monday. I would like to express my gratitude for everyone who has supported the fundraiser.”

If you would like to donate to Miceal’s fundraiser, ‘Seven Errigals for Gaza’, you can do so on his GoFundMe. “Any donation would be very much appreciated to try and help the people of Gaza during what has to be one of the darkest periods in modern history,” Miceal said. 

The humanitarian organisations that donations are lined up for are ActionAid Ireland and the Palestinian Red Crescent. 

ActionAid Ireland works with women and children and forms part of the ActionAid Global Federation which strives for ‘justice at every level to make the greatest contribution towards a just, equitable and sustainable world’ while tackling poverty. 

The Palestinian Red Crescent provides medical aid and it forms a part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The organisation is guided by the universal principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.