Gallant Challenge looking to break €500,000 barrier

€500,000 is the magic number for the organisers of the annual Gallant Challenge, which takes place this Saturday, October 28, at 12pm at MacSeains Bar in Cornafean.

The fundraiser sees participants take on either 5km or 10km routes in aid of St Christopher’s Hospice in Cavan.

“We’ve raised €470,000 since we began,” explains organiser and founder Ciaran Weir.

“It’s the 20th year the event has been held, but it’s only been held 18 times due to Covid. We raised €34,000 last year so I’d be confident on raising that much again to get us over the half a million barrier.”

The event receives a lot of support from people in the community, for which Ciaran says he is most grateful.

“We don’t know what to expect on the day, there’s no online registration, it’s whoever comes on the day. People are under a lot of financial pressure, but we’re lucky that we get a lot of goodwill and support. Every year we think nothing will beat the previous time, but it surprises us by continually getting better.

"Every year we get 150-200 taking part. Last year we had people from age 13-80 which was lovely to see. We’re lucky to have the same people coming back every year, with a few who have been there since the start.”

While there will be presentations to the top performers on the day, there will be something for everyone who attends.

“The fastest woman on the 10km route will be presented with the Mary Cumiskey Cup while the fastest man will receive the Oliver Brennan Cup explains Ciaran. These were local people who passed away in the hospice a few years ago, and we’re very grateful for the families who dedicated the trophies in their memories.

"Everyone else who takes part will get a medal and hot food and there will be entertainment in McSeains pub afterward. Mood Ice Cream which is owned by Gerry Sheridan from Killeshandra will also be sponsoring ice cream for everyone.”

This support is vital for Ciaran who says running the event is a time-consuming process.

“It’s the people who give me the spirit and the strength to keep it going. Even last weekend, I got messages wishing me well. We need a lot of work to make it a success, it’s never-ending.

"I have a raffle every year for it, which involves a lot of collecting money in pubs or outside post offices and shops. You hand over one cheque and then it starts again.

“We’re constantly reminding people, but it’s great to be able to organise it, but the effort I put in is small compared to people in the hospice.”

While fundraising is an important aspect of the event, it’s not the most important aspect of the event as Ciaran outlines.

“Any donation is accepted on the day. It’s not all about the money, it’s about having fun, and meeting people who you might not see from one walk to another, it’s social as much as it is about raising funds for the hospice.”