Making a difference for 21 years

Breffni 3 Province Challenge launch

Participants are being urged to register for the 21st annual Breffni Three Province Challenge in what’s expected to be a record-breaking year for the fundraising event for cancer charities.

As is customary, the challenge will take place over the August bank holiday weekend as part of the Three Province Festival in Arva. It will get underway on Saturday, August 3.

Organisers are looking forward to welcoming participants from every county in Ireland and even from abroad. They can either run, walk or cycle in the event and pick a distance or route most suited to them.

Philip Brady is the spokesperson for the organising committee. He said that the team has been working extremely hard to ensure that this year’s event is another massive success. Registrations are already well ahead of last year.

“We want to showcase our town on this great occasion and give back to charity,” he explained of the motive behind the fundraiser.

All proceeds will be split between the Friends of St Luke’s Hospital Fund, the Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care Fund and Breast Cancer Research Ireland (BCRI), which is based in Galway.

Ruth Allen, executive director of the Friends of St Luke’s was among the speakers at last weekend’s launch of the event in the Breffni Arms Hotel. She thanked everyone for affording her such a warm welcome to Arva.

“Our mission in St Luke’s is to make a difference in the lives of patients and care givers and families facing health challenges. St Luke’s has been a beacon of hope and healing for patients and their families for many decades. St Luke’s has been supporting compassionate care for 40 years, with cutting edge treatment and unwavering support to those facing health challenges in St Luke’s Radiation and Oncology. It is the only place in Ireland for children to receive radiation treatment,” outlined Ms Allen.

“I know we are gathered here this evening because so many of you have experienced cancer or a loved one has had experience of cancer. I too have had that experience and that shared purpose is something that unites us in wanting to ease the pain and suffering,” she continued.

“You all have given so much of your time and energy for over two decades and raised the most incredible amount of funds. Through your generosity, you enable us to provide cutting edge treatment, compassionate care and a healing environment,” acknowledged Ms Allen.

She recognised the Breffni Challenge as “one of the longest running cancer fundraising events in Ireland” and said the organisers and those behind the Friends of St Luke’s had a lot in common.

“The dedication and the enthusiasm of everyone involved is at the heart of what the Friends of St Luke’s is about. It is absolutely crucial to the work of the Radiation Network. Your participation and support over the years enable us to continue. You are not just our friends, you are partners in our cause. Your fundraising makes an enormous tangible difference and, for that, we are profoundly grateful,” said Ms Allen.

She also extended her thanks to the event’s sponsors including the Breffni Arms Hotel, Brady’s Volkswagen, Michael Ellis, Cully’s Bakery, local businesses, members of the organising committee, volunteers and participants.

“Sadly, the need for the services at St Luke’s is growing and to meet this demand, we have to grow our fundraising. At present we are prioritising with the hospital, projects that need to be prioritised for the next two years, for the patients and their families to continue to get the best possible care and outcomes,” Ms Allen further revealed.

Jimmy O’Donnell, Cavan Monaghan Palliative Care, also addressed those in attendance at the launch. He outlined how this is the 31st year of the fund. “As most of you know, we started this when dad died 31 years ago,” he began.

“What you have put together in this small town is something that should and could be replicated throughout the length and breadth of this country, but it rarely is,” said Mr O’Donnell.

“Arva won an All-Ireland last year in football – they should be winning All Ireland’s for their generosity, for their Christianity and for the way they look after people, such as their neighbours and friends who can no longer look after themselves,” he praised those behind the major fundraiser.

Mr O’Donnell revealed how last year’s donation was spent by the fund.

“Last Christmas, our team of nurses decided that there were 39 families who would not be able to get Christmas over them. They were nursing a person, for whom it would be their last Christmas. But, because of people like you, we were able to go out and spend €25,000 on food, clothing and toy vouchers, in order to help those families have a special Christmas, where, for a mum or a dad, it was going to be their last one,” he said.

“That is the best illustration I can give you as to why people should get behind this fundraising event and make it a success. Without you, I could not do what I do, our team could not do what they do.

“There is not the like of you anywhere else in Ireland. I know the people in St Luke’s and the people in Galway feel the same way,” concluded Mr O’Donnell.

Register now

To find out more or to register log on to www.breffni3provincechallenge.com

Online registrations will remain open until 5pm on July 31.