DONATING: This year's 54321 Challenge raised funding of almost €35,000 for three charities. Pictured were: Catherine Foley, Mark Murphy, Maura O’Sullivan, Marian Kelly, Sean Scally and Caroline Lynch.

By Michelle Crean

Almost €35,000 was handed over to multiple Kerry charities at the weekend as organisers of this year's 54321 Challenge handed over the funds.

This year’s selected charities included Skellig Stars which helps children and adult athletes with special needs, Kerry Hospice Foundation, and Enable Ireland Kerry.

Participants who took part in the gruelling four day challenge which included three cycles and two mountain climbs met the charities at Ross Castle where they handed over the money.

Now in its eight year, the 54321 Challenge was very different this year as it was scaled back to just a few participants due to the COVID restrictions.

However, they still managed to raise a colossal amount - a whopping €34,768.97 - thanks to the help of the generous public. This brings the total raised to date to €241,352.00 supporting a number of very deserving Kerry charities over the years.

A major contributor to this year’s fundraising efforts was a number of Spinathon Days where this year's participants, volunteers from the various causes, family and friends took to the streets in different locations around the county on spinning bikes. These events took place in Killarney, Cahersiveen, Killorglin, Listowel, Dingle, and Tralee.

RESTRICTING NUMBERS

The Challenge had grown in numbers over the years, and this year was to be no different with a large number of participants ready to undertake the challenge, one of the organisers TJ O'Connor explained to the Killarney Advertiser.

"Due to the current COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic and the corresponding lockdown, and health and safety recommendations from the HSA around large groups of people, the 54321 Challenge committee made the tough decision that all 50 participants could not complete this year's Challenge.

The top priority was to ensure the safety of its participants, and in the current climate this extended to their families, neighbours, friends etc. So instead the decision was made that the Challenge would revert to the original seven participants undertaking the four-day challenge, which took place from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday 23 inclusive."

Not only did the volunteers cycle the Ring of Kerry, they also climbed Carrauntuohil, cycled from Killarney to the foot of Mount Brandon and then climbed it! And although exhausted, the last leg of their journey was a cycle from Dingle to Killarney.

"Thanks to everyone who made these Spinathons possible, to all the volunteers, and thanks to all the members of the public who gave their support and generous donations, and thanks to An Garda Síochána and especially James Foley for his help," he said.

“If this year has taught us anything, it is to be thankful for what we have, our health is our wealth, and the power of people working together can get us through some of the most difficult situations. We are so glad that we went ahead with the 54321 Challenge 2020 and that the monies raised will provide some comfort to those availing of the services offered by this year causes.”