09 May 2016

The fifth annual charity ‘Climb to Remember’ takes place on Sunday, May 29th and will see people from all over Munster rise to the challenge of climbing Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil, in memory of a loved one, with funds raised going towards The Mercy Hospital Foundation.

 

Proceeds raised at this year’s ‘Climb to Remember’ will benefit both the Mercy Heart Appeal and Mercy Cancer Appeal, enhancing cardiology and cancer services at The Mercy University Hospital, which serves patients from all over Munster.

 

Pre-event registration is essential, and participants can sign up at www.mercyfundraising.ie. Sign in will take place at Cronin’s Yard from 9am till 9:45am. At 10am participants will begin their climb from Cronin’s Yard to the summit of Carrauntoohil. The climb will take around 5 ½ - 6 hours including a break.

 

Hikers will walk from Cronin’s Yard to base of Carrauntohill. Travelling up Brother O Shea’s Gully and past the Beenkeeragh Ridge they will reach the top of Brother O Shea’s and will be greeted with a spectacular view down into Coomloughra with Dingle Bay and the Brandon group to the northwest. Passing the top of the Central and Curved Gullies climbers will emerge onto the summit. After reaching the summit and following a break for photographs and food it will be time to make the descent back to Cronin’s Yard down the Devils Ladder.

 

‘Climb to Remember’ founder, Betty O’Sullivan, from Listowel, who lost her mother Bernie to cancer in 2010, said “A thank you card couldn’t convey my gratitude to the staff in the Mercy for the care they gave my mother, and after her first anniversary I wanted to do something as a tribute to her and give something back, and so Climb to Remember was born. When you lose a loved one, you feel as though life will never again be the same. The Climb to Remember is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on and remember someone who’s passed on. I find doing the climbs really therapeutic, and even though they can be tough in parts, I love the fact that I’m doing it in memory of that special person. The unexpected friendships, the stunning sights, the little struggles and the huge sense of achievement on the day are so inspirational.”

 

Deirdre Finn, Community & Events Fundraiser at the Mercy Hospital Foundation said “Our mission is to inspire people to support advancements in research, diagnosis, treatments and care of patients at The Mercy University Hospital, the People’s Hospital. We promise to do our very best to provide you with a world class hospital, right on your doorstep, and this is only possible through the help of our supporters and donors like those who step up to the mark, and ‘Climb to Remember’ year after year.”

 

The registration fee for the Carrauntoohil climb on May 29th is €25. A second ‘Climb to Remember’ takes place the following month on Sunday, June 26th up the Galtees, and for anyone interested in doing both, the fee is €45.

 

‘Climb to Remember’ is open to anyone over 16 years of age and those interested must register by logging onto www.mercyfundraising.ie or calling (021) 4274076. Please note that registration will NOT be available on the morning of the event.