Cadets’ Kildare to Croagh Patrick charity run

THE 94th Officer Cadet class from the Curragh Camp have completed a run from their Kildare base to Westport as part of their annual charity event.

This year's run had a little more than a passing local interest as two of the cadets hail from Mayo - Cadets Lee Grant from Ballina and Tomás Morley from Bekan were part of the military drill from east to west.

As well as being a charity fundraiser, the run forms part of the cadets' gruelling training schedule as part of their 15-month preparation for their commissioning day.

The group ran in relays, with a number of exchange points along the way, one being at the entrance to Ballyhaunis Community School.

The exchange saw the handing over of the 94th Cadet Class Pennant by section one of the group to section two, and then continuing the run towards Westport, to the summit of Croagh Patrick.

Every class designs their own pennant, which then accompanies the group wherever they travel. The 94th Cadet class pennant reads: 'Ní Neart Go Cur Le Chéile' (Strength in Unity), ever reminding us of the importance of teamwork.

The class pennant will accompany the 94th class on a military pilgrimage to Lourdes which takes place this month. The pennant will be hung in the cadets mess in the Curragh Camp following their commissioning in January 2019.

The funds from the 254k run will be distributed between three very worthy charities - Temple Street Children's Hospital, the Curragh Lourdes Fund and the Soldiers' Fund.

Tomás, pictured here placing the flag of 94 Cadet Class on the summit of Croagh Patrick, is a former student of Ballyhaunis Community School and is son of Dom and Eithne Morley, Bekan.

 

* For more on the story, see the Ballyhaunis notes in our print edition by correspondent Mike Byrne