Breffni challenge nears 1m mark

The 'Breffni 3 Province Challenge’ will take place this year on Saturday, August 1, and will feature a half marathon, 10k and 5k fun runs and a remarkable 100k cycle.
Philip Brady from the organising committee told The Anglo-Celt that this will be the 14th year of the fundraising event and, to date, they have raised over €900,000 for charities - Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care, Friends of St Luke’s and the Breast Cancer Research Institute in Galway.
“We think of all the people who made contributions over the years and many having been doing it for a number of years. It is thanks to all those incredible people that we have gone over the €900,000,” said Mr Brady.
The money is generated via sponsorships cards and registration fees and bucket collections along the route on the day itself.
“The event has gathered great momentum over the years and a lot of people have been very supportive of it, not alone from this region, but from further afield,” said Mr Brady.
The challenge, starting and finishing in Arva, features a superb 100km cycle, which will take the participants through three provinces and three counties - Cavan, Leitrim and Longford.
“The homecoming reception everyone will receive will be second to none and will give them fulfilment for the charity they have done it for and for their own personal achievement,” said Mr Brady.
Deirdre Hughes from The Friends of St Luke’s told The Anglo-Celt that the Breffni Challenge has always been a fantastic support to the charity.
“We support St Luke’s Hospital and the other two St Luke’s Centres at James’s and Beaumont Hospitals,” she said. Patients go and stay in 51 Oakland Lodge in the grounds of St Luke’s because some will be there for treatment for six or seven weeks and family members can stay too if they so desire. Funds this year will go towards the purchase of new mini buses, refurbishing bathrooms and a new lift.
Joe Duffy, fundraising co-ordinator with the Breast Cancer Research Institute, said: “There is a lot of exciting work going on there and they have made a lot of progress over the years. Breast cancer affects one in ten women in this country in their lifetime. It is really important that the research carries on.”
“Philip Brady and the committee here are phenomenal,” he added, further describing the challenge as a wonderful example of community endeavour.