€40k raised at Gallant Challenge

A cheque for over €40k, the proceeds of last year’s Gallant Challenge was given to St Christopher’s Hospice last Friday night, February 28.

The presentation took place at the Slieve Rossa in Cavan Town where chairman of St Chirstopher’s Hospice Jim Lalor was happy to receive the amount of €40,085.

“It was a lovely night,” said Ciaran Weir, who organised the Gallant Challenge.

The challenge celebrates it’s 20th anniversary when it takes place over the October Bank Holiday weekend 2025.

“It feels kind of surreal,” admits Ciaran, who started out raising money thinking it would be “a one or two time” thing.

“Every year people kept encouraging me to keep it going,” he said, describing the walking or running challenge as a “great event” which is “great craic”.

The new soon to be built hospice will provide end of life and respite care, with the sod set to turn on the project in early May and work to star soon after.

It is hoped to have the new hospice opened by early 2026.

“We’re going to have a state-of the art facility for cancer patients, which is great for Cavan and Monaghan and surrounding areas.

“People are very good when it comes to cancer,” said Ciaran, thanking everybody who had donated to the fundraiser over the past two decades.

He plans to continue fundraising throughout the year for the hospice, while also thinking of new ways to celebrate the anniversary of the challenge, which he promises will be “bigger and better” than ever.

“I just want to thank everybody for all the support.

“I’m like the captain of the ship, I steer away and try and bring everybody with me. People are just so good and so kind. “People don’t mind taking money out of their pocket for a good cause.”