Business leaders climb Errigal aiming to raise €1m for children's cancer charities

A team of over 20 business leaders from across the island of Ireland, UK and USA have climbed Errigal as the first part of a mammoth charity initiative.

The 26 Mountains 2 Mayo challenge in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, a charity that empowers, connects and strengthens children, young people and families impacted by cancer across the island of Ireland.

The leaders will climb the highest point in each county across Ireland with the aim of raising €1,000,000 to help Cancer Fund for Children provide vital services to even more families who are navigating the challenges of childhood cancer.

They kicked off their epic challenge by climbing the tallest peak in Donegal and will cover the hills and mountains across Ulster, before moving into Connacht, across to Leinster and down to Munster and then making their way back to Connacht for the final leg.

The team will be putting their physical and mental endurance to the test to climb nearly 11,000m in total, which is 1.25 times the height of Mount Everest.

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Roger Johnston, CEO of Axial3D and organiser of the 26 Mountains 2 Mayo challenge, said,
“For months, our team has been training, preparing, and visualising this moment—and now it’s real. Over the next nine days, we will push ourselves to the limit, both physically and mentally, inspired every step of the way by the incredible work of Cancer Fund for Children. These children and their families face mountains of their own every day—and that’s why we’re climbing ours.”

The funds raised through the challenge will enable Cancer Fund for Children to provide vital support services to children and families affected by childhood cancer across the island of Ireland. This includes emotional and therapeutic support delivered in family homes, hospitals, and at the charity’s existing therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge, in Newcastle, Co Down.

Cancer Fund for Children is also undertaking a campaign to build and equip a second Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co Mayo, to meet the growing demand for therapeutic short breaks. Construction of the new facility is set to begin in July.

Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, added: “We are incredibly excited to have kicked off the 26 Mountains 2 Mayo challenge with Errigal mountain this morning. It’s been an early start but getting out with this incredible team who have committed to this challenge with such passion and dedication is a pleasure.

Every week across the island of Ireland, approximately 10 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer. The funds raised in the run-up to this challenge and throughout the next nine days will help us ensure these children and their families don’t face their experience alone. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful sponsors, Arachas Corporate Brokers, whose generosity has helped make this challenge possible.”

Joey Wynne, Arachas CEO concluded: “In the run up to the 26 Mountains 2 Mayo Challenge, all around the country, the Arachas family are coming together to raise money for this incredible cause for the third time. We’ve all been impacted by cancer in some way, and we are proud to support Phil and his team at Cancer Fund for Children and the wonderful work that they do. Our Arachas relay team are getting ready for the kickoff on Saturday and I would like to wish them and everyone participating the best of luck in the challenge.”

The 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge is proudly sponsored by Arachas, Ireland’s largest nationwide insurance broker and part of the Ardonagh Group.