Gallant Challenge a ‘huge success’

After a hugely successful Gallant Challenge last Saturday in Cornafean to raise funds for St Christopher’s Hospice is on the brink of hitting its target of €500,000.

“We had a great day and raised €25,000, meaning were just €5,000 short of breaking the €500,000 barrier,” said organiser Ciaran Weir of the walk/run event. “We had over 150 people taking part and Kevin Dillon won the Oliver Brennan Cup for being the man to finish the 10km course; while Helen Conefrey won the ladies’ 10km race and was presented with the Mary Cumiskey Cup.

“Any day that you have over 150 people taking part in an event is a great day,” he added.

While he may not have reached the €500,000 barrier just yet, Ciaran expects to surpass it before the end of the year.

“We’re having our annual Christmas jumper night and raffle in Pius Polo Grounds Pub in Kilnaleck. There will be €1,000, €500, €300, €200 and a whole host of other prizes to be won, so we’re 100% sure we’ll reach our target.

“Everyone has been so generous by donating both their time and money to us. Cavan has a reputation for being miserable, but I reckon we’re the most generous people in Ireland.”

This is the 20th year of the Gallant Challenge in aid of the local hospice.

The money raised will help complete a major new extension and refurbishment of St Christopher’s Hospice on the outskirts of Cavan Town, a project for which planning permission has been granted.

Partnered by the Health Service Executive (HSE), St Christopher’s is being upgraded to a Specialist Palliative Inpatient Unit and integrated with the existing homecare service.

Cavan and Monaghan are two of the last counties in Ireland that do not have a full hospice service, and the development will mean that people towards end of life can move seamlessly between hospice and home, according to their clinical needs, instead of having to travel to larger urban centres.

This state-of-the art hospice development will have 16 bedrooms with all the latest technologies, where patients can have full control of their interior environment, along with personal patios and garden access.

On completion, St Christopher’s will greatly enhance the end-of-life palliative care experience for patients and their loved ones.

The building costs are funded by local donors, the HSE and the Department of Health.

Golfer Leona Maguire was recently announced as patron for the local hospice.