Dóchas Offaly raise €65k ahead of abseil challenge next month

Dóchas Offaly Cancer Support Group have raised an astonishing €65,000 as part of their Do it for Dóchas fundraiser.

The charity fundraiser involves the Croke Park Abseil Challenge, which is set to take place on October 19.

The challenge will see one hundred participants abseiling 150ft from the Hogan Stand in Dublin's Croke Park stadium.

Talking to the Westmeath Independent about the challenge, John Conroy from Dóchas Offaly said: “We set out on this journey about a year ago. We launched the fundraiser in June with Robbie Henshaw.”

Those who attended the launch were eager to get involved in the fundraising challenge, with interest far exceeding the charity's expectations.

“The interest on the night was overwhelming,” John said. “We needed a minimum of 40 participants, so we were hoping to at least reach that thanks to Robbie. We ended up closing the registration on the night with the maximum of 100 participants.”

Each participant was required to raise a minimum of 300 in order to participate in the challenge, which has evidently been no problem for the generous people of Offaly.

John said the support of the community has been impeccable. “We simply wouldn't be opened without the generosity of the community. In Offaly and the Midlands, people are so generous.”

The fundraiser aims to raise money which will go directly towards providing free psychosocial supports and complementary therapies for individuals affected by a cancer diagnosis, their family and friends.

“Demand is increasing. We are always trying to rise to the demand for our services - with a fundraiser like this, we can,” John said.

On the day, five groups of 20 participants will go to Croke Park from 9am to 3pm as they abseil one by one to the floor of the stadium.

Afterwards, participants will celebrate together, as the charity aims to show their appreciation for those involved in the challenge.

With three weeks to go until the day of the fundraiser, donations remain open. Those interested in donating can go to: www.idonate.ie/event/doitfordochascrokeparkabseilchallenge.

For more information about Dóchas Offaly and the supports they offer, go to: www.dochasoffaly.com.