Mayo hiking group raises €66,800 for Hospice Foundation since 2019
The Nephin Begers Annual Night Hike has raised more than €66,800 for Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation since it began in 2019, with this year's event generating an outstanding €12,100 to support specialist palliative care services across Mayo and Roscommon.
Organised by the Newport based Nephin Begers Hiking Group, the annual event has become a much-loved community tradition, bringing hundreds of people together each year to remember loved ones while raising vital funds for hospice services that support patients and families across the region.
The Night Hike was born from a deeply personal desire to honour the lives of two much-loved local women, Claire Chambers, who passed away in January 2018, and Eileen Merritt, who died in October 2016 following their courageous journeys with cancer.
In their memory, Claire's husband John, daughters Niamh and Claire, sons Sean and Conor, together with Eileen's husband Charlie, son Cathal, daughter Kelly and members of the Nephin Begers Hiking Group, came together with the idea of creating a special fundraising event that would celebrate the lives of those they had lost while helping other families facing similar experiences.
They chose Buckagh Mountain, outside Newport, as the location and decided to hold the hike under the night sky, creating a unique and reflective experience for participants.
The inaugural Night Hike took place in March 2019 and received overwhelming support from the local community and from supporters overseas, with donations arriving from as far away as the United States. The first event raised more than €32,000 for Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. Although the fundraiser was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, it returned in 2023 and has gone from strength to strength each year.
Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, said: “The Nephin Begers Night Hike is a wonderful example of how a community can come together to honour loved ones while making a real difference to families who need hospice care. The dedication of the organising committee, volunteers, participants and supporters over the past number of years has been truly inspiring.
“Every euro raised helps us continue providing specialist palliative care and support services to patients and their families across Mayo and Roscommon. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to making the Night Hike such a remarkable success.”
John Chambers said: “The Night Hike attracts more than 50 walkers each year. What makes it particularly special is the atmosphere created by walking under the night sky. It has evolved into more than a fundraising event; it is a time for remembrance, reflection and hope. Participants take the opportunity to think of those currently living with cancer, while remembering the family members, friends and neighbours they have lost.
“The Nephin Begers are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the event over the years, particularly Michael, Mary and Jade O’Haire of O’Haire Travel, who have generously provided transport free of charge since the first hike, as well as the local landowners and volunteers who help prepare and make the route safe each year.”