Gallant Challenge celebrates twenty years

The annual Gallant Challenge will take place this weekend and will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Celebrations for the event began early this year with a video created by those involved with the fundraiser and those who have benefitted from the efforts. While there are many messages of support and encouragement, one St Christopher's Hospice fundraising committee member had the following message.

"All roads lead to Cornafean so please go out, support a worthy cause, enjoy yourselves, and most importantly stay safe," said Tony Finlay, one of many supporters who participated in the video.

The challenge has raised €546,000 over the past 19 years. The funds raised come from people who are doing the walk because they have lost somebody themselves or they know somebody who has availed of the services St Christopher's Hospice provides. Event organiser Ciaran Weir is thanking those people who took part or have helped out in some way over the past few decades.

"It's a special year, it's the 20th anniversary," Ciaran told the Celt.

He described how "it was never planned" for the walk to become an annual event, something the father of two attributes to "the generosity of the people".

Ciaran was "busy organising" when the Celt called to speak about this year's challenge.

The walk or run will take the same route as always, starting at MacSeains Bar and meandering around the routes of Cornafean before finishing up at the pub again.

Family members of the late Oliver Brennan from Cortober donated a cup for the first male back from the 10km run; while the female prize is given in honour of the late Mary Comiskey from Kilnaleck. As well as the prize giving, craic, live music and a few speeches celebrating the milestone are expected to take place afterwards.

"We're hoping for a big crowd and hopefully the weather will be good," he said.

The milestone Challenge comes as work is progressing on the new hospice facility for Cavan and Monaghan.

"It's in full throttle at the moment," said Mr Weir, praising the "state of the art" hospice being built by the McCabe Group.

The Specialist Palliative Care Unit will encompass a 16-bed inpatient unit that will cater for patients requiring specialist palliative and end of life care.

The new hospice will also include a Palliative Care Hub, consisting of an outpatient facility, a specialist day hospital and a specialist treatment unit with capacity for infusions, transfusions, and a lymphedema service.

It will also contain a physical therapies unit with capacity for prehabilitation and rehabilitation and a Creative Therapies Unit including art, music, creative and complimentary therapies.

"For the people of Cavan and Monaghan to have it on their doorstep, it's great great news," said Mr Weir proud of the part the Gallant Challenge has played in raising funds for the facility.

The Challenge will take place this Saturday, October 25. Registration for the walk begins at 12:30pm at MacSeain's Bar in Cornafean, with the walk starting at 1pm. Participants will have the option of completing a 5km or 10km route on the day.