Bluestack Challenge charities announced as organisers ‘spread the generosity’

The Bluestack Challenge committee are excited to announce the beneficiaries for 2024. The bi-annual walk across the Bluestack Mountains incorporates some of the most rugged and picturesque sights in County Donegal and is taking place on the 24th of August 2024.  

From its inception in 2002, the brainchild of Patrick McBrearty and a group of loyal friends, and now synonymous with his family, the Bluestack Challenge aimed to raise funds and ultimately create a local facility addressing the lack of service provision to the special needs community. 

In the intervening years and having channelled funds to other local beneficiaries, it became apparent that a stable foundation in which to develop such a service was vital and thankfully a building was acquired. 

From then onwards, the main objective for the Challenge committee became the repayment of the significant mortgage debt, so that any existing and additional funding streams could be directed wholly to providing immediate support to the children, young adults, their families or involved others. 

A spokesperson said: “The decision to funnel the proceeds from the Bluestack Challenge exclusively towards the mortgage costs was both important and pragmatic in terms of not jeopardising other state incomes specific to service provision. 

“By 2022 the premises was mortgage free thanks entirely to the unyielding efforts of volunteers, families and their supporters, and not least the local community.  An incredible achievement and lasting legacy in bestowing a building to the people of Donegal, of which we are very proud.   

“Having honoured our initial commitment, we now are in the fortunate position of having the freedom once again, to spread the generosity and goodwill of the community, addressing a broader range of need by supporting other deserving causes across County Donegal.

“It is a privilege to introduce the benefactors for 2024.”

Cancer Support Services:  

A cause very close to the hearts of the Challenge committee. Fair to say most if not every household within the county has their own story and is very aware of the impact of a cancer journey.  It is an honour to support Cancer Care West, Good and New Shop/Bus Service, and Solace Centre Donegal Town.    

Cancer Care West is a long-established charity helping cancer patients and families through the provision of residential and psychological support. 

Inis Aoibhinn, the Galway residential centre, provides accommodation for cancer patients and their families. A third of those that stay travel from Donegal each week. Accommodation and meals are all provided free of charge. The Letterkenny support centre opened in 2017, providing psychological support to cancer patients and their families.  

Other services include yoga, massage, reflexology, manual lymphatic drainage. Up to 500 people per year from Donegal use this centre. Their running costs are primarily funded through the generosity of local community fundraising initiatives and all the services provided are at no cost to the patient and family members.  

Good and New Charity Shop are a voluntary organisation providing free transport (cancer bus) to meet the needs of Donegal people affected by cancer. It was established in 2008 to raise the awareness of cancer and the consequent negative socioeconomic effects on cancer patients and their families. 

Over 2,500 Donegal people have availed of the Bus service to date. Their aim is to provide a first-class service to patients and their families affected by cancer in Donegal regardless of their means and to act as a focal point for cancer information and support. They rely completely on funds raised through their shop and many voluntary efforts.  

The Solace Cancer Support Centre in Donegal Town. Their purpose is to benefit the community through the provision of a place where those affected by cancer or any life-threatening illness, and their families, can access information, support and counselling in a caring, confidential and tranquil environment. And a place where you will find peace and hope for the support you need on your journey to recovery. 

Additional Needs:  

Our commitment to supporting special needs remains steadfast and we will continue to advocate and champion the work in this area. We are delighted to once again provide support to The Bluestack Foundation and this year we have the exciting opportunity to extend our reach to Donegal Down Syndrome.  

The Bluestack Foundation needs no introduction. Having blossomed from the original vision back in 2002 and a direct result of tireless work and dedication, it has grown into an exceptional and indispensable service, providing Clubs, Camps, Choir, Training and Progression programmes and signposting to name just a few essential packages. 

Acting as an initial point of support and information, their primary aim is to support people with disabilities in reaching their full potential, support families caring for dependents with disabilities, raising awareness and promoting advocacy. A long-standing beneficiary of the Bluestack Challenge we are delighted to continue to uphold the crucial work of The Bluestack Foundation.  

Donegal Down Syndrome was founded by parents in 1985. It is a non-profit organisation which relies entirely on fundraising and available grants. Their aim is to support members with Down Syndrome throughout the county of Donegal with an ethos of nurturing independence and promoting inclusion within our communities. 

With almost 200 members, they provide a wide range of social, emotional, physical and educational activities and supports such as Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Neuro development Therapy, swimming, dance, parent-toddler group and parent link support. Annually, on World Down Syndrome Day they host a celebration party guaranteeing fun, dancing and great memories.    

Mental Health Supports:  

In a climate of ever-increasing demands on our mental well-being and with the effects of Covid 19 still significantly impacting members of our community, we are delighted to support two very essential and worthwhile services – The Counselling Service in Donegal Town Resource Centre and The Pastoral Centre Letterkenny.   

Donegal Family Resource Centre was established in 2005, a not-for-profit community development project delivering community-based family supports under the National Family Resource Centre Programme. 

The centre provides a broad range of community-based family supports, information, advice and support to meet the needs of families, individuals and groups including Adult Education, Elderly Supports, Social Prescribing, Parenting programmes and a Food Bank. 

Since 2022 the Child and Adult Counselling service has been overwhelmed following Covid-19 with referrals rising significantly to 104 in 2023. Tusla and the HSE provide part and one-off funding, however the service relies on donations for the remainder of the costs associated with providing one to one Counselling, play and equine therapy delivered by accredited professional counsellors at a subsidised cost to clients. This is a confidential service. Counselling offers clients the opportunity to discuss/explore in private concerns/issues which might be negatively affecting your personal well-being.   

The Pastoral Centre Counselling Services are located in Letterkenny for the past 35 years. Primarily, they offer Counselling and Psychotherapy for adults. Play therapy and art therapy are offered for children from five years with no upper age limit on those seeking support from the service. 

While the main office is located in Letterkenny, an additional seven outreach centres ensure a reach covering the vast majority of Donegal County. Over the past five years the centres have delivered an incredible 15,000 counselling sessions. 

Tulsa provides funding for the child and adolescent service, however the adult service is largely dependent on fundraising and donations to ensure consistent operation as no state funds are provided. Their mission is to enable clients to recover, heal and rebuild their lives by providing low-cost (to adults) or free (to children) professional counselling and other supports to those in need within the local community.  

Uplifting and Unforgettable Experience

“We invite you to join us in this uplifting and unforgettable experience, navigating the scenic terrain of the beautiful Bluestack Mountains raising much needed funds for your local community services,” said the spokesperson.

“With so many worthy benefactors to support, spaces are fast becoming limited. We encourage all those interested in participating in the Bluestack Challenge to sign up without delay. To register please log on to www.bluestackchallenge.com. If you’re not taking part in the challenge or don’t know any walker to sponsor, you can still support us through our GoFundMe page, The Bluestack Challenge 2024.

“We really appreciate all the help and support of the many, many volunteers, helpers, walkers and fundraisers. 

“And a special thank you to our main sponsor, the Quinn family at Blas and Gateway lodge, Donegal Town.”