Reversal of Fortune
Smithborough man preparing to reverse a tractor and trailer for almost 70 kilometres
A Smithborough man is preparing to reverse a tractor and trailer for almost 70 kilometres in an ambitious fundraising challenge aimed at supporting two worthy charities.
Aaron Corley, now living in Clones, will attempt the feat on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 2, travelling in reverse from Wright’s Concrete in Carrickmacross, near Ardee on the Louth border, all the way to the Fermanagh border, to the Canal Stores in Clones, in what will be a Guinness World Record attempt: “The record at the minute is 44 kilometres of a reverse. I’m doing nearly 70,” Mr Corley said. He hopes to start at 7am and aims to be back at the Canal Stores in Clones for around 4pm, but that is a guesstimation.
The charities to benefit are Make-A-Wish Ireland for critically ill children and LA519 Light Giver, a mental health and suicide awareness group.
Aaron runs a children’s indoor play business in Monaghan Town, and he also has bouncy castles for hire, so it was natural he would like to help children.
The fundraiser dubbed Reverse and Raise has the clever catchline ‘Backin’ Charities.’ It was inspired by causes that Mr Corley says affect communities everywhere: “I suppose every house has been hit by mental health in some sort of way, and with me being involved with the kids so much, I wanted to do something for them too.”
Although Guinness World Records are recognising the challenge, he said publicity for the charities was always the main objective. “We approached them not for the record - I didn’t give a damn about the record, to be quite honest. It was more to get a bit of publicity for this and try and raise as much money as we can,” Aaron told the Celt.
The attempt required extensive planning, including risk assessments, support crews and traffic management arrangements. Aaron is a retained fire fighter with Clones station and is also a member of the Gone But Not Forgotten bikers committee. Both of these associations will come in handy: “The fire brigade are escorting and the motorbike community are involved in it too. They are going to do a rolling roadblock and a bit of fundraising along the way. We have a couple of vans running as well. Everything will be lit up. Hopefully it’ll all go to plan on the day.”
Aaron’s friend Paddy Flynn is kindly donating the tractor and fuel, while Pauric Cassidy has donated the trailer. The only thing left to chance is the weather. Aaron conceded: “A good day will make a difference, take people out to support it. Hopefully the weather will be good for the Bank Holiday weekend.”
On the morning of speaking to the Celt, Mr Corley was en route to put up a bouncy castle before delivering meals-on-wheels for the Ulster Canal Stores in Clones, whom he says have been very supportive of his fundraising idea and will provide a venue for the celebration when he gets back, with refreshments and a raffle, featuring prizes donated from local businesses.
He hopes the reversing camera on the tractor will save him from looking over his shoulder all the way. Supporters are being encouraged to come out and help keep him motivated throughout the circa eight-hour journey: “I’d love nothing more than people to come out along the route on the day and just cheer me on a wee bit. It’ll give me the drive to get down the road.”
Monaghan Bike Meets and Spins are also hosting a bike run on Sunday, July 19, meeting at McNally’s fuel station, Cootehill Road, Monaghan at 11am, leaving at 12 noon, €20 per bike. All proceeds from this event will also support Aaron’s Reverse and Raise fundraiser.
Aaron is not putting a target on the amount he wants to raise, simply saying: “As much as possible.” There are scannable QR codes on the posters that are springing up all over Co Monaghan, there is also a dedicated Reverse & Raise Facebook page and donations can be made through: www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/aaroncorley.