Mayo family's ‘Climb for Fergal’ will raise funds for cancer charity this weekend
A south Mayo family will be climbing Croagh Patrick this weekend to raise funds for a local charity in memory of their son and brother.
'Climb for Fergal' will raise much needed funds for Cancer Fund for Children and Daisy Lodge in Cong in memory of Ballinrobe native Fergal Loftus, whose fourth anniversary occurs on May 28.
The Loftus family are inviting everyone to join them this Saturday, May 25, in a climb of Croagh Patrick and afterwards for refreshments and music at Campbell’s pub in Murrisk. All this will take place from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
The event is to raise vital funds for Cancer Fund for Children, an all-Ireland charity, whose mission is that no child on the island of Ireland should face a cancer diagnosis alone. The charity are currently in the process of building a new facility (Daisy Lodge) on the shores of Lough Corrib at Lisloughrey, just outside Cong.
Fergal succumbed to cancer after a battle borne with dignity and courage. His family decided to organise this event having commenced climbing the Reek in May every year after his passing, given that this vital centre is being built close to their home in south Mayo and to try to help families cope with the devastating diagnosis which touches so many families.
Cancer Fund for Children provide short breaks to families from the Republic of Ireland in Daisy Lodge, Newcastle, Co. Down. However, for every one family referred another six families must go in a waiting list as Daisy Lodge is running at full capacity.
It is their vision to open a second therapeutic short break centre - Daisy Lodge Cong - and welcome families for breaks within two years. This will allow the charity to increase the number of children and parents they support from 1,800 to 4,000 each year.
The project in Cong is currently underway with ground works ongoing. Building is due to commence this August or September and will take approximately 18 months to complete.
To get involved in Climb for Fergal, contact Mary McHugh Murphy, Connaught regional fundraiser for Cancer Fund for Children, at mary@cancerfundforchildren.ie or (087) 9443277 or contact any member of the Loftus family.
An iDonate page has been set up for donations at https://www.idonate.ie/event/climbforfergal, or you can come along and also donate on the day.