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Armagh support group cheer on Rory Best during Cancer Fund for Children walk to Mayo

Rory’s Miles to Mayo campaign to raise vital funds for children diagnosed with cancer

Lucy Donnelly (13) and her father Kieran Donnelly, originally from Keady supporting Rory as part of his epic challenge for Cancer Fund for Children

Cancer Fund for Children’s Armagh Support Group led by Karen Brown gave former Ulster, Ireland, British & Irish Lions Captain, Rory Best a warm welcome as he passed through the county on his epic walking challenge in aid of Cancer Fund for Children.

With stops in Belleeks, Newtownhamilton, Keady and Derrynoose the Armagh Support Group rallied the local shops, schools, clubs and Armagh City Rugby to ensure Rory was encouraged as he passed through.

To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Rory walked 180 miles across Ireland from Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic centre, Daisy Lodge in Newcastle Co. Down to the site of a proposed new Daisy Lodge in Co. Mayo.

Rory took on this challenge in a bid to raise £500,000 for Cancer Fund for Children, a charity that is close to his heart.  For children with cancer, their childhood can be devastated by months of chemotherapy sessions, hospital stays, and time away from their family and friends.

Cancer Fund for Children’s mission is to ensure the children don’t have to face this cancer journey alone and last year they provided emotional support to over 1,500 young people.

Niall Smyth with his parents in Keady supporting Rory as part of his epic challenge for Cancer Fund for Children.

Locals at The Rolling Pin in Keady supporting Rory as part of his epic challenge for Cancer Fund for Children.

The charity’s services include restorative breaks at Daisy Lodge which is set at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.  Short breaks allow families to spend quality time together in a safe and nurturing environment, far removed from hospital wards and treatment regimes. However, for every family the charity can support across Ireland there are another six they cannot which is why they urgently need to build a second facility in Co. Mayo.

Speaking about his challenge Rory said: “Walking 180 miles in nine days will be tough but nowhere near as tough as the challenges that families dealing with childhood cancer face. I’m not only taking on this challenge to raise vital funds but also awareness of the impact cancer has on the lives of children and young people.

McKeevers Chemist in Keady supporting Rory as part of his epic challenge for Cancer Fund for Children.

Karen Brown from the Armagh Support Group supporting Rory as part of his epic challenge for Cancer Fund for Children.

“Already an incredible £370, 236 has been raised and I would like to thank our incredible sponsors, local schools, clubs, and business for getting behind me. If you can, please donate to this wonderful cause”

Details of how to support Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo Challenge

 To answer Rory’s call in aid of Cancer Fund for Children, donate via JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/rorysmiles2mayo

Instagram: @cancerfundforchildren
Facebook: @cancerfundchildren
Twitter: @cancerfundchild
Website: www.cancerfundforchildren.com.

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