A week to go for Lugnaquilla Challenge

It's just over a week to go before the next Maintain Hope Lugnaquilla Challenge takes place, writes Gerry O'Donoghue. On September 23, a troop of intrepid trekkers will scale Wicklow’s highest peak and higher than any other mountain in Leinster, hoping to build on last year’s success. It’s an enjoyable scenic trek but it is challenging so an ability to handle uneven ground and a reasonable level of fitness is needed. 

Entries are still coming in, and while we are hoping that each individual, couple or family group would raise €100 in sponsorship, that's not an absolute requirement to take part — every euro raised goes directly to our families, so every euro counts.

Anyone who wants to undertake the Challenge is welcome. Sponsorship cards are available from Esther Reddy on 087 9450634 and Gerry O’Donoghue on 087 2642887. And Brona Dooley has opened a GoFundMe page for donations. 

The walk will set off from Fenton’s famous pub in the Glen of Imaal at 10am and return there for some light refreshments afterwards. We are grateful to Frank Mitchell, an experienced mountaineering hand, for being our mountain guide again this year.

Currently Maintain Hope is supporting 72 children in Kenya. Two students have been accepted for admission to nursing college. Both these girls are the first from their communities to complete Secondary education not to mention the first to attend Third Level. Already our oldest student has just qualified as a Primary Teacher and our very youngest will be starting Nursery School.

We have asked Kilcullen for help before, several times, and the answer was always a resounding ”Yes”. We are asking again now with the comforting knowledge that your generosity is already working wonders for otherwise children and families without hope. Thank you all for your support and goodwill. There is always hope.

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