Greg set to abseil Croke Park for Special Olympics

Kilcormac's Greg Commins is set to abseil GAA headquarters next month in support of the Special Olympics Ireland.

The abseil will take place in Croke Park, Dublin on Friday, May 12 and there will be group participating along with Greg to help raise money to send athletes to the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin this summer.

Speaking about the upcoming abseil, Greg said: “I don't even like ladders. I'm really going to be out of my comfort zone.”

He is looking forward to the challenge and added that he is “big into volunteering”.

A volunteer with Special Olympic Team Ireland for the last number of years, Greg decided to volunteer for the World Games in Berlin, Germany but to qualify must meet a fundraising target of €3,800.

As part of the Offaly man's fundraising efforts he also took part in the polar plunge on Clogherhead Beach in Louth last November and raised €1,070 from this event. Around 200 people took part and ran into the sea in freezing temperatures.

Greg said he enjoys "giving back" and last year he was a volunteer on DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland for a house in Longwood, Co. Meath. DIY SOS is an RTÉ show that rebuilds people's lives by rebuilding their homes with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers and suppliers. Greg worked on the house for six days roofing and gardening.

The Special Olympics will take place in Berlin from Saturday, June 17 until Sunday, June 25.

Anyone who wishes to donate to Greg's fundraiser should visit the link here

Special Olympics Ireland is a sports organisation for people with an intellectual disability, but it provides athletes with far more than the physical benefits of sport. Through sport, athletes develop both physically and emotionally, they make new friends, realise their dreams, and know they can fit in.

Team Ireland plans to send 73 athletes to compete in twelve sports at this year's Special Olympics World Games in Berlin and they will be supported by a delegation of over 50 volunteers.