Novice mountain climbers are urged to unleash their inner Bear Grylls and trek Mayo’s and Connacht’s highest peak to raise life-saving funds for people living in extreme poverty. Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s largest humanitarian aid agency helping people in countries like Syria and South Sudan, is urging people of all fitness levels and abilities to take on the 814 metre high Mweelrea. The climb is part of an annual mountain challenge called Climb4Concern, which sees adventurers climb some of the highest mountains in Ireland and the UK.
The Climb4Concern challenge has already raised over €200,000 since 2011 with those funds helping refugees and other people in dire need of aid overseas.The Mweelrea trek on Saturday, April 16 will take participants almost 1km into the skies near Westport with breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Participants will also have the option of climbing the world famous 764 metre high Croagh Patrick, known as The Holy Mountain, the following day. Concern is calling on anyone looking to take part in their adventurous trek, and who would like to unleash their inner Bear Grylls or Tom Crean, to sign up – no matter how many minutes or miles of experience they have.
The climb will be led by experienced mountaineer John Corroon (42 ) from Westmeath, who has climbed to the base camp of the daunting 8,848 metre high Mount Everest in Nepal. John has also climbed the highest free standing mountain, that is not part of a mountain range, in the world – the 5,895 metre (5.9km ) high Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in Africa.And he has led many treks up and down all of Britain and Ireland’s tallest peaks, including Carrauntoohil in Kerry, Ireland’s tallest mountain.
He said “We have had people of all abilities on the challenges and we cater for all levels of fitness.“There are people who have never hiked before going up one of the highest mountains in the country, which is wonderful to see and a personal achievement for them.” Mweelrea, which means ‘smooth bald hill,’ is famous for its breath-taking views of the Connacht landscape and the Atlantic Ocean from its peak 814 metres above sea level. Concern’s Challenges Executive, Siobhán O’Connor, said “This is a hugely enjoyable and fun challenge for people of all ages and fitness levels. “It is not a race or a competition, just a great day out when people from all walks of life get to share this incredible experience.”
Anyone interested in taking part in Climb4Concern is urged to contact Siobhan O’Connor at (01 ) 4178028 or at [email protected]. Participants are required to pay a deposit of €25 and there is also a minimum fundraising target of €50. Money will be collected at the event by Concern staff.
