Mayo Sailing Club hosting family fun day in Daisy Lodge fundraiser
MAYO Sailing Club will host a family fun day at Rosmoney, Westport, on Saturday, August 22, bringing the community together in support of the Daisy Voyage and Cancer Fund for Children.
Running from 12 to 6 p.m., the event will be a day for all the family on the shores of Clew Bay, with a barbecue, fast RIB rides, kayaking, pier jumping, swimming races and plenty happening on and around the water.
The day will also give people an opportunity to meet Westport men Tom Bourke and Bryan Hyland, hear more about the challenge ahead and find out why they have decided to row more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic to raise funds for Cancer Fund for Children.
This December, Tom and Bryan will take on the World's Toughest Row, departing La Gomera in the Canary Islands and rowing west across the Atlantic to English Harbour in Antigua. The challenge will see the pair spend up to 60 days at sea as they take on one of the world's most demanding endurance events.
The purpose behind their challenge is to support Cancer Fund for Children and the opening of Daisy Lodge, currently under construction on the shores of Lough Corrib, near Cong.
Due to open in spring 2027, Daisy Lodge Mayo will provide therapeutic short breaks for children and young people impacted by cancer and their families, giving them a safe and supportive place to rest, reconnect and spend time together away from the pressures of treatment and hospital life.
Conn Lavelle, Commodore of Mayo Sailing Club, said: “Mayo Sailing Club is delighted to support Daisy Voyage and the incredible fundraising efforts in aid of Cancer Fund for Children and the Daisy Lodge therapeutic short-break centre.
“We are proud to be organising a family fun day to bring our community together, raise awareness and, most importantly, help support children and families affected by cancer.
“Daisy Lodge provides a very special place where families can take a break, reconnect and make precious memories together.
“We hope our family fun day will be a fantastic day for everyone involved and help raise much-needed funds for such an important cause. We wish Tom and Bryan every success and a safe voyage, and we are delighted to play our part in supporting this wonderful initiative.”
Tom Bourke said: “Rosmoney and Clew Bay have become a huge part of this journey for us, so having Mayo Sailing Club get behind Daisy Voyage and put on a day like this means a lot. We want people to come down, enjoy the day with their families and learn a little more about why we're doing this. Every bit of support brings us closer to our goal of helping Cancer Fund for Children open the doors of Daisy Lodge Mayo.”
Bryan Hyland added: “The support we've had locally has been incredible. This is a chance to bring everyone together and have a bit of fun on the water while supporting a cause that really matters. We'd love to see plenty of families down at Rosmoney on the day.
“We are even going to get the junior sailors to help us do a test on our boat Misneach and roll it over in the water!”
The event will raise funds and awareness for Cancer Fund for Children as Tom and Bryan continue preparations for their Atlantic crossing.
Cancer Fund for Children currently supports children and young people impacted by cancer across the island of Ireland at home, in hospital, in the community and through therapeutic short breaks. Its new Daisy Lodge in Cong will significantly increase the number of families able to access therapeutic short breaks.
For more information about Bryan and Tom's challenge, visit thedaisyvoyage.com; Instagram/Facebook: @daisy_voyage2026.