Over 20 business leaders from Ireland, the UK and America have joined together to take on the 26 Mountains 2 Mayo challenge.
They are raising money for the Cancer Fund for Children across the next nine days, and will visit all 32 counties on the island as part of their journey which kicked off on Errigal Mountain in Donegal this morning.
Their aim is to raise €1,000,000 for the charity, so they can continue to provide their vital services for all those affected by childhood cancer in Ireland.
After climbing Errigal, their sights are set on climbing six further peaks in Ulster, before moving climbing a further 19 peaks across Ireland – before they finish with a climb up Mweelrea in Mayo.
All-in-all, the group will climb almost 11,000 metres on their travels.
“The 26 Mountains 2 Mayo team set off from the base of Mount Errigal in Donegal – the first of 26
peaks they will climb over nine days to raise €1 million for Cancer Fund for Children’s Cancer Support
Specialists on the ground as well as funding to support Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo for children and
young people impacted by cancer. Pictured: Rodger Johnston, CEO of Axial3D and organiser. Phil Alexander, CEO Cancer Fund for Children, Maria Small, partnership and Philanthropy advisor, Cancer Fund for Children and Raphel O’Connor with Floss. Photo Clive Wasson
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 2025.
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.”
You can find out more about this challenge, including how to support, by visiting https://www.26m2m.com/. You can find out more about Cancer Fund for Children by visiting www.cancerfundforchildren.com.
