Locals off to New Zealand for Relay for Life Donegal

Five Donegal lads will leave early next week to take part in the world's longest-running multi-sports event - Coast to Coast New Zealand.

Arthur McMahon (Milford), managing director Donegal Oil Company and founder of Donegal Oil Foundation, Boyd Robinson (Letterkenny), Gerard Callaghan (Letterkenny), Shaun Stewart (Creeslough), George Kelly (Downings) along with two well-known crew members Rory Kennedy (Letterkenny) and Padrag McGinty (Downings) will take part in the event on Friday week, February 10.

"The Kathmandu Coast to Coast NZ is an iconic multisport event based in the South Island of New Zealand. Held every February, the race starts on the West Coast, at Kumara beach and traverses the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide where we will reach over 1000 metres above sea level, before dropping down into the braided Waimakariri River, followed by a 70km bike in to the finish line on the East coast at Christchurch's New Brighton beach. An exciting but challenging event.”

“Our entries were booked pre-Covid and had to be postponed due to the pandemic and we are all so delighted that the time has finally arrived. The team has been training for this now for some time and I am delighted that we are participating as Team Donegal Oil, the first team from our beautiful County of Donegal to take part.

"It’s always great to find new challenges and for years our Team Donegal Oil members have been pushing the boat out to find new and exciting challenges at home here in Donegal and all over the world. This one certainly is the furthest one we will have undertaken to date,” says Arthur McMahon.

“The entire trip is sponsored and fully funded, so when we discussed as a team what charity we would like to raise some funds for, we knew it had to be for a cause that was close to all our hearts and local so, we choose Relay for Life Donegal. Each one of us has had a family member or friend affected by Cancer and we have the utmost admiration for the hard-working team who every year organise an event at the Atlantic Technological University 

Donegal in memory of those that we have lost and to support the survivors and those that are still battling cancer. Every single cent raised by us will go directly to the Relay for Life Donegal Charity,” he adds.

Speaking on behalf of Relay For Life Donegal, Ena Barrett explains that Relay for Life Donegal is a 24-hour, community celebration.

"A unique, empowering and fun event that has something for everyone, young and old alike. At the heart of Relay is the opportunity to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who are no longer with us. Teams of people and individuals alike take turns walking around a track at The ATU. Because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the 24-hour event. Otherwise, everyone is free to socialise, enjoy live entertainment and participate in lots of fun activities! 

“When you Relay, you are supporting the provision of ongoing Irish Cancer Society Services throughout Donegal. However, everyone in the community is invited to come along and experience this inspiring event of celebration and commemoration.

“Two of the highlights during the Relay event are the Survivors’ Lap where we celebrate cancer survivorship and the Candle of Hope Ceremony, where we remember loved ones. 

We are just thrilled and so grateful to Arthur McMahon and the other lads who choose us as their preferred charity for this event. We would like to wish them a very safe and enjoyable trip and look forward to following them on their journey over the coming weeks."

The lads will each be participating as individuals in the event and each of them will undertake to complete a three-kilometre run, a 55-kilometre cycle, a 30.5-kilometre mountain run, a 17 kilometre cycle, an 800 metre run (gravel), a 67 kilometre kayak and a final 70 kilometre cycle; total 243 kilometres.

You can follow their updates on Facebook: TeamDonegalOilAdventureChallenge and Instagram: @donegaloil

If you would like to donate to Relay for Life Donegal, however small or large, it is so much appreciated. The link is: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/coasttocoastNZ