Donegal soldier launches 'Pull for Creeslough' in Syria

An Irish Defence Forces Corporal from Donegal has organised a unique fundraising challenge with fellow soldiers in Syria in aid of the Creeslough fund.

Corporal John Gallagher, who hails from Downings and lives in Carrigart, is serving with the 66th Infantry group on the UNDOF peace keeping mission in Syria.

A soldier based at Finner Camp with the 28th Infantry Batallion, Corporal Gallagher has organised a challenge that will take place at Camp Faouar on January 17.

Three platoons will compete each other. The task is to pull an 18-tonne Mowag Piranha 3 armoured personnel carrier (APC) over a distance of 100 metres in the fastest time.

A GoFundMe page has been set up and €2,000 has been raised already. You can donate here. 

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“Three of our comrades serving within the defence forces lost family members in this terrifying disaster,” CorporalGallager said.

“This really brought it home to me and this is why myself and the members of the 66th Inf Group UNDOF and would like to do something to offer our support and condolences to the people of Creeslough.”

The 1st and 2nd mechanised platoons and CSG/RECCE will all compete against each other in teams of 20 per pull.

All money raised will be in ai of the Creeslough community.

On October 7, a horrific explosion at the Applegreen complex claimed the lives of ten people.

Leona Harper, Robert Garwe and his daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe, Jessica Gallagher, James O'Flaherty, Martina Martin, Hugh Kelly, Catherine O'Donnell with her son James Monaghan and Martin McGill all died in the explosion.
Corporal Gallagher said the fundraiser is “in order to help and aid the people of Creeslough to move forward and let them know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.”