Three peaks challenge in aid of local family
Hundreds are expected to take to the three peaks of west Cavan to raise much-needed funds for a local family.
Luke Beirne died in a crash on the N3 near Annagh Lake on June 9 last. The 17-year old was a passenger in a car involved in the two-vehicle collision.
Luke’s mother Lorraine is still undergoing hospital treatment for injuries she sustained in the serious crash.
Now in its second year, the Three Peaks Challenge was organised by the Cuilcagh Ramblers group to raise money for local causes.
After raising money for new defibrillators for two local schools last year, the decision was made to channel this year’s proceeds to the Beirne family.
“We started it last year. The schools were talking about getting defibrillators so we came up with the idea to do the bit of fundraising for that. We got a defib for the school in Swad and for the playschool in Kinawley”, says one of the organisers Philip McGoldrick.
“That was our first year doing it and we said we may as well do it again. We said ‘this is a good cause, so why not?’.”
The decision to support the Beirne family with this year’s event was an easy one, explains Philip, given their ties to the local community.
“Young Luke played with Corlough. They had set up a GoFundMe and were doing a coffee morning and we just decided we’d get involved with that.”
Lorraine is continuing to undergo hospital treatment for her injuries, which include a number of broken bones.
“She’s coming on. She had a lot of broken bones. She’s going to be getting physiotherapy and all that for quite a while. It’s terrible. She’s up and down between Cavan and Dublin.”
Sunday’s event (October 9) is expected to attract over 100 people to take part. Cuilcagh, Sliabh an Íarainn and Benbrack will be traversed, with a 5km lowland walk also planned for people who don’t wish to take to the slopes.
Philip is keen to stress that all abilities will be catered for.
“We have the three peaks. Some won’t do the three, some will only do one, some will do two. We have the lowland walk as well. It’s a nice, handy one. We have the shortest routes possible for the three peaks.”
People planning to take part in Sunday’s event are asked to contact the Cuilcagh Ramblers club on Facebook beforehand. A dedicated Whatsapp group with information has been created.
The walks will begin at 8.30am at Slieve an Íarainn, with Benbrack at 12 noon and Cuilcagh at 2.30pm. The lowland walk will get underway at 3pm. Participants are asked to contribute at least €30 to the cause.