Bobby climbed The Reek on stilts for dementia

Climbing Croagh Patrick is something which many people have done, though it's not an easy climb. But what about climbing it on stilts?

That's what Bobby Tyrell has just done, to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and also to raise awareness about dementia.

Bobby is used to climbing hills, he does it for leisure on a regular basis. When his partner's Mam was diagnosed with dementia and passed away a year ago, and his own Dad was also diagnosed with vascular dementia last year, he says it opened his eyes to the everyday realities of the illness.

"Dementia is an illness I never really knew anything about," he says. "But it's an illness that not just affects the individual with the diagnosis but also those around them on a daily basis."Because he is a plasterer by trade Bobby got the idea to climb The Reek on the stilts he uses every day on that job. 

"Some will say I'm silly, but when I see the challenges my Dad has to face when he leaves the house when he's not guided or doesn't have someone with him, every single step he takes is difficult." Every single step Bobby took on the climb was for his Dad and anyone who is being challenged on a daily basis by this illness. It was particularly special because his Dad has also climbed Croagh Patrick a number of times.

Bobby set himself a target of €2,000 in fundraising on his iDonate page for the climb. At this time of writing, donations stand at more than €3,200. 

Anyone who wants to contribute can do so until 8 June.

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