An adventurous Portnablagh couple will race one of the world’s most brutal triathlons this December to raise funds for another adventure helping children in Tanzania.
Gerard and Julion Gallagher are taking on Patagonman, racing through fjords and canyons of La Patagonia Chile.
The race begins with a jump from a ferryboat into icy cold water and it’s an unpredictable 226km challenge from there on. Well-known estate agent and extreme racing veteran Boyd Robinson will be their support crew during the race.
Gerard and Julion have the hills of Donegal and the wild Atlantic as their training ground and are familiar faces in many local races and events.
They are driven by a charity goal. By braving the Patagonman they aim to raise funds to donate a 4×4 car and books they will personally deliver to a charity educating children in remote communities in Tanzania. The Gallaghers’ friend, Rachel Ellyard, runs The Bouncing Books Foundation which gives reading opportunities to children who need them most.
Julion said: “We have been inspired by the work Rachel and her family have been doing in Tanzania and now hope to bring a little bit of Donegal to Tanzania.
“We like to do that by donating our Suzuki 4×4 that has been going strong on Donegal roads to the children and remote communities in Tanzania.
“The idea is to convert the car to become Tanzanian off-road safe and sound and it will act as a mobile library to deliver books and educational materials to remote villages.
“We also want to fill up the car when leaving Ireland with donations that will hopefully end up in our own dedicated library in Tanzania. Any support from the local community in Donegal whether it is to help raise funds at
www.gofundme.com or in kind by car garages that want to help to transform our car or by schools and individuals that like to donate books, computers etc.
Their plan is to ship the car to South Africa by autumn 2025, embark on a journey from South Africa to Tanzania in November, and deliver the car and donations by Christmas 2025.
Gerard and Julion have been fundraising among friends and family with a goal of €15,000. They have raised nearly €3,000 so far and plan for the Patagonman to increase awareness and encourage more donations.
The fundraising target and the triathlon are both challenges, but they are full of confidence.
“The courage and energy and support we get from the community in Donegal where we live and train will push us forward in every stroke, every pedal and every step of the way from Portnablagh to Patagonia to Tanzania.
“All along the way we will be thinking of the amazing gift we will be able to bring to Tanzania: the gift of reading and providing education to children in remote communities in Tanzania, which will give us so much motivation to drive forward.”
Gerard Gallagher and Julion Gallagher (Ruwette)
Gerard, who is from Derryreel (Falcarragh) and Julion (Ruwette) who is from the Netherlands, met while hiking Mount Kilimanjaro. Both active triathletes, they moved to Portnablagh during the pandemic. Over the past five years, they have participated in various local races, including the Falcarragh 5km park run, the post to post race, the Sheephaven half triathlon, and the Seven Sisters race all in preparation for their ultimate goal in Patagonman.
To donate to the Donegal 4×4 mission, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gifting-4×4-and-books-for-bouncingbooksorg
