Fundraising to reach an ambitious target

A Christmas draw will take place this weekend organised by three-time World Record breaker Shane McLoughlin.

The Clones man holds records for pulling the heaviest vehicles; 18,000kg in Dublin last May, followed by a 20-tonne lorry in Scotland in August, and most recently a 25-tonne lorry in Cavan in October.

No mean feat, Shane faces an additional challenge during his pulls, he has had his left leg amputated below the knee and now walks with a spring-loaded prosthetic.

This weekend, he will take to the Cavan Crystal Hotel again but for a slightly different cause. Speaking to The Anglo-Celt earlier this week, Shane pulls a book of raffle tickets out of his pocket.

He is fundraising to achieve his next ambitious target, pulling a 290-tonne aeroplane, and a fire truck in America in March next year. Funds raised will also go towards his daughter's school, St Comgall's National School in Clones.

Tickets will be sold by volunteers in Cavan this weekend, with the draw taking place on Saturday night at 8pm in the Cavan Crystal Hotel.

"I do fundraising for everybody else, my line of work is truck pulling.

"I go out to charities and do truck pulls for everybody, me going to America, it's going to cost us over €20,000 so the draw is going towards America 2025.

"The ticket draw is for me personally, myself and the team to go to America," he explained, adding that a camera crew will go along to document his journey.

There are ten desirable prizes up for grabs for lucky ticket holders this weekend. The top prize will be 400 litres of oil, followed by more excellent prizes including vouchers for local hotels, gift shops and more, which would definitely be a welcome surprise this Christmas. Tickets cost €2 each or three for €5 and can be purchased around Cavan Town this weekend.