Hardy Meath men to take on ten peak challenge in ten days
Two Meath men are preparing to undertake a gruelling ten peak challenge later this summer, to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Wayne Leonard of Summerhill and Jack McGlynn of Rathcore will climb the ten highest peaks in Ireland in ten days, starting on 31st July.
The pair have undertaken the challenge to raise funds for the ICS and to honour the memory of a young Summerhill mother who lost her battle with cancer.
Caroline Gibney-Kelly, a mother of a young baby, passed away at the age of just 31 last year.
She was a close friend of Wayne's fiancee, Kate McGlynn and this is what prompted Wayne and Jack to undertake the challenge.
“We know so many people whose lives have been affected by cancer,” says Wayne. “It is affects all of us.”
Wayne and Jack will start the tough ten days of climbing in County Down when they take on Sliabh Donard.
“These peaks are located in north, east and south of the country. The plan is to start the 10 days on the 31st July. There are two peaks in Wicklow, one in Limerick and the rest are in Kerry.
“As well as climbing, there will be a lot of driving, so we have to plan our rest periods too,” he says.
Wayne initially planned on doing the challenge himself, but was soon joined by his fiancee's brother, Jack.
The peaks will be a new experience for them both.
“This will be new and exciting challenge for me as I'm not a seasoned hiker,” says Wayne.
“The highest I've ever climbed before was around 500 metres and the lowest of those in the challenge is around 900metres.
“We have two months now to get ourselves fit for it,” he says.
Despite not being climbers, they are both fairly fit.
Wayne played football with the Kildare minors and played with Longwood all his life until last year. He also “does a little in the gym.”
“I'm 36 now and my footballing days are behind me.
“I've only done four or five hikes, but I have been getting a lot of advice especially on nutrition and recovery, which is vital.”
Jack isn't an experienced climber either, but he is very fit and has a black belt in Ninjutsu.
They set up a Gofundme page recently and had raised over €1,000 within days.
“There was a great response. We will also be getting out our collection buckets and sponsorship sheets,” says Wayne.
“We are looking forward to this challenge and we would really appreciate any and all support that people can offer”.