Garda Ken gets set to carry up Carrauntoohil

A LIMERICK Garda is planning to carry a rowing machine to the summit of Irelandโ€™s tallest mountain where he will row a distance of ten kilometres to raise funds for children battling terminal and serious illnesses.

Ken McDonald from Ashbrook Gardens on the Ennis Road has set a โ‚ฌ30,000 target for his โ€œCarry up Carrauntoohillโ€ fundraiser to cover the cost of repairs to the Share A Dream ‘Dreamland’ play area which was broken into a number of times last year.

The one of a kind fantasy play land on the Dublin Road allows for non-able bodied children to play with their able-bodied siblings and friends.

A champion rower and training instructor at the Garda Training College in Templemore, Garda McDonald told the Limerick Post that he was determined to help the Share a Dream Foundation after meeting its founder Shay Kinsella last year.

Advertisement

“To say I was blown away by the amazing work being done by the charity for seriously ill and disabled children all over Ireland for the last 27 years, would be an understatement.

โ€œNot only do Share a Dream make dreams come true for children fighting terrible life threatening illnesses but they have also built the very first ever all- inclusive magical indoor Fun Centre called Dreamland.โ€

Garda McDonald said the charity relies solely on donations and the goodwill of the community and does not receive any government funding.

โ€œSo, when the charity suffered two major break-ins last year causing thousands of euros worth of damages, I decided I had to do something to raise much needed funds for repairs and to make dreams come true for terminally ill children while raising more national awareness that the charity deserves.โ€

โ€œRowing is my passion and I have been so fortunate in my career to have broken the World indoor record over 1000m last November at the Provincial rowing Championships; I won the Rhine marathon in Germany in a menโ€™s coxed quad, and won two Gold medals at the World Masters rowing championships in Budapest.

โ€œSo, whatever I decided to do, it had to be associated with rowing. After witnessing the amazing courage and determination that the children endure daily to find some quality in life, I decided I would challenge myself to the limit for Share a Dream.โ€

He plans to carry out his ‘Carry up Carrauntoohill’ challenge on Saturday, March 28.

โ€œI will be attempting to carry my rowing machine, which weighs 26kgs up Carrauntoohill and then row 10 kilometres before bringing it back down.

โ€œMy aim is to raise โ‚ฌ30,000 rectify the damage caused by the break-ins and so that this wonderful organisation can continue making dreams come true for very sick children.โ€

He is now encouraging people to take part in raising funds by organising a sponsored cycle on a stationary bike or rowing machine; a sponsored head shave/beard shave.

โ€œOr why not get out with the kids and go for a walk or a climb in your local area,โ€ he suggests.

Online donations can be made at on iDonate or contact 061-200080 to get a sponsor pack.

 

Advertisement