Deirdre's 12 mountains in 12 months challenge

A YEAR on from her cancer battle, Mayo native Deirdre Ruane is challenging herself by taking on 12 mountains in 12 months.

Mountain challenge No. 7 will see Deirdre climbing Nephin next month, and all are invited to join her as she raises funds for St. Vincent's cancer ward in the Mater Hospital.

Deirdre was admitted to the Mater Hospital in Dublin last year with a large, aggressive tumour in her chest. She received emergency chemotherapy the evening after she went in to collect her test results from a biopsy, and has spent the year since fighting, and recovering from, cancer.

She has devised a fundraising plan – to climb 12 mountains in 2019, one a month, raising money for the cancer ward in the Mater Hospital. The funds raised will go directly to St. Vincent's ward to improve patient care and equipment.

Her Nephin climb takes place on Sunday, July 21, and she is inviting the people of Mayo to join her. The meeting point is at Pruglish at 10.30 a.m. And come fully equipped, with lunch, is the advice.

Deirdre raised a fantastic €4,275 in one week when she opened her online fundraiser via Facebook. She has since continued on to raise almost €10,000 so far and with your support that figure can go up.

To find out about this and other climbs, or to donate, see https://www.facebook.com/donate/2315331845155802/.