Mayo athlete Basil raises over €24,000 for Mental Health Ireland

Louisburgh native and endurance athlete Basil MacLeod has raised an incredible €24,255.13 in support of Mental Health Ireland, following a series of extraordinary physical challenges designed to inspire resilience and raise awareness around mental health.

In 2025, Basil embarked on his first major challenge—running four marathons across four different counties in just five days. Not one to stop there, he went on to complete an even more demanding feat: a 100km ultramarathon through the Sahara Desert.

This extreme endurance event required participants to carry all essential supplies, including food, water, sleeping equipment, and safety gear, across harsh desert terrain.

Basil chose to support Mental Health Ireland because of his strong belief that mental health challenges affect people of all ages.

Through his fundraising efforts, he aimed to send a powerful message—that no matter how difficult life may feel, challenges can be faced and overcome.

Basil’s efforts were strongly supported by his local community in Louisburgh, as well as his workplace, the Maldron Hotel, Oranmore, which hosted a fundraising event that contributed over €2,000 to the total.

Mental Health Ireland has expressed its sincere gratitude to Basil for his dedication, determination, and outstanding achievement in raising such a significant amount.

Louise Connolly, fundraising officer for Mental Health Ireland said: “We are extremely proud of Basil for taking on two extraordinary challenges in aid of Mental Health Ireland.

"Through his efforts, Basil has helped raise awareness for mental health in his community, and we are grateful to him for all funds raised and to everyone who donated.

"His generosity helps Mental Health Ireland to continue promoting mental health through our campaigns, literature, and programmes, working towards an Ireland where mental health is understood, valued and supported as an essential part of everyone’s health.”