Volunteer of the Year Finalist: Gallant Ciaran happy to keep 'plugging' away

The Gallant Challenge has raised more than half a million euro for the local hospice over the past couple of decades.

The man behind the annual walk or run is Ciaran Weir from Cornafean and he is a worthy finalist for this year's Volunteer of the Year as his fundraising efforts for St Christopher's Hospice extend to a wide variety of other events throughout the year.

The challenge takes place every October, with the fundraiser entering into its 21st year in 2024.

The last 5/10km walk took place on October 28, 2023, and raised €35,000 through registrations, raffles, bucket collections and donations.

Since its inception, the challenge has raised over half a million for the hospice with the tally currently running at €505,000 through the main fundraiser and also raffles, comedy nights, Christmas jumper nights, coffee mornings and more throughout the year.

“I have to say that it's mainly down to the generosity of the people and I’m very happy to keep plugging at it.”

Ciaran said he “felt privileged” upon reaching the finals of the awards.

“It’s not every day you get an award,” he said.

The local volunteer said: “I always wanted to put my energy into something.

“I always got a good kick out of it [fundraising], we always got good support.”

Ciaran has had an interest in the hospice since his days attending Cavan Institute 21 years ago, when his bus passed the facility every day. He always wondered what was behind the trees in the serene setting near the Loreto woods.

“I went in one day and I just seen the love and attention that these patients were getting. “I just said I want to do something for these great people, that was how it all started.”

“It’s huge for the hospice,” he said of the nomination.

St Christopher's Hospice provides respite and end of life care to patients with long term-illnesses and is undergoing a major revamp at present.