Rory Best to tackle 300 km challenge for children’s cancer charity

Rory Best is set to undertake a huge 300 km challenge to raise much-needed funds for an Irish children’s cancer charity.

Irish rugby legend Rory Best will walk over 300 km from Dublin to Mayo to help the Irish charity Cancer Fund for Children raise funds to build Daisy Lodge, which will act as a therapeutic break centre for children and their families.

Besides being a rugby star, Rory Best is also an active ambassador for Cancer Fund for Children and will be undertaking this mammoth challenge later this month.

Cancer Fund for Children – an important charity

Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, spoke about the Daisy Lodge’s importance: “Every week across Ireland, ten children and young people are diagnosed with cancer.

“We understand the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis and its treatment can have on the whole family and that beyond the essential medical care, many families need social and emotional support.

“Our aim is to empower, connect, and strengthen children, young people, and their families so they feel better equipped to deal with the impact of cancer.”

Each year, the charity supports over 500 families impacted by cancer with therapeutic breaks at Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down. They aim to open a second Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo.

“Once Daisy Lodge Mayo is operational“, Alexander added, “we will be able to support more than double the number of families each year”.

Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo – a 300 km endurance challenge

Best said about his endurance challenge ahead of him, “I’m taking on a mammoth walking challenge in support of Cancer Fund for Children this May.

“A childhood cancer diagnosis can impact on the whole family. Hospital appointments, treatment, and the pressures of navigating this experience can leave a family feeling disconnected and exhausted.

“Short breaks at Daisy Lodge provide children with cancer a space to rest, time with their families, and [the chance to] build connections with others their own age going through the same thing.

“They get to be treated like the stars they are, and that’s why I’m delighted to be doing my bit to help bring another therapeutic facility like this to Co. Mayo“.

Kingsbridge Private Hospital, the Ardonagh Group, and Arachas Corporate Brokers will sponsor the challenge, which, this year, will see Best pass through counties Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare, Galway, and Mayo for the Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo journey.

Rory Best – Irish rugby legend

Best is most famous for being the former Ireland and Ulster rugby captain; he has also been an avid Cancer Fund for Children charity supporter for many years.

In 2021 he helped to raise over €1 million for the charity, and this year, he is aiming for even more. If you would like to show your support by taking on your own fundraising challenge or donating, you can visit the website at RorysMiles2Mayo.com.

From 16-25 May, the inspiring sportsperson will be joined on his 300 km walk from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Cong in Co. Mayo by families that the Cancer Fund for Children support, as well as former teammates, sponsors, public figures, and other supporters of the charity.