Back in 2007 Johnny Oosten came up with an idea. This idea centred primarily around creating awareness and raising vital funds for children with autism in Ireland by means of the Croagh Patrick Seven Day in a Row Challenge. Five years on he has certainly achieved that, having raised more than half a million euro (€534,000 ) for the cause. (www.croaghpatrickchallenge.com )
March 18 this year will be the date for his next venture - a completely new challenge and a new cause. This new event is a fundraiser to help the Cystic Fibrosis West team raise the much-needed funds required to build a specialised day care unit at Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar. This unit will comprise two isolated en suite bedrooms (each incorporating positive and negative airflow pressure systems ), a treatment room, meeting room, kitchenette, laboratory, and a corridor for exercise and bleep tests.
Challenge the Greenway
The first annual event will take place on March 18 and the challenge will be to complete the Great Western Greenway - a picturesque off-road walk/cycle trail that traverses Ireland’s Atlantic coast and follows the old Achill/Westport railway-line. The challenge will set off from Achill Sound, pass through Mulranny and Newport, and finally finish up in Westport.
In August last year 32 people set out to see if it was possible to complete this task in one day and all 32 completed the challenge. The distance of the route is approximately 26 miles/43km (a full marathon ), however you can decide how you’d like to complete it. You can choose to walk it, cycle it, or even both. It is entirely up to you. Further details regarding the challenge as well as other relevant information can be found on the website - www.challengethegreenway.com Think you are up for the challenge? Really want to make a difference? Then simply visit www.challengethegreenway.com and register to take part. Registration will be open online from January 11 2012.
