Inspired by Adelle
What lay ahead!
Yesterday, Sunday the 26th of October, a large group of people from Swinford and Charlestown took on the challenge of climbing Croagh Patrick. The climb, organised by Adelle Gavin, was in aid of the Oncology Unit in University College Hospital, Galway. Adelle was diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago and she has just recently finished her chemotherapy treatment. Adelle has always been a bubbly person and her positive attitude is truly inspirational and this set the tone for the day.
The weather leaving Swinford yesterday morning was extreme, it was very wet and very windy but this didn’t dampen the spirits of the group. Everyone met in the car park at the base of the mountain at 12 noon. Some of the group (lunatics!), who are members of Swinford Cycling Club, took on an extra challenge of cycling from Swinford to Croagh Patrick, climbing the reek and cycling home while the rest of us drove over and met them there. Adelle and her team of helpers had lovely food, tea, coffee and soup ready before we climbed and again after we finished.
At the summit!
When we started to ascend the reek, although windy, the rain stopped and it was relatively warm. Everyone climbed at their own pace, some of the aforementioned lunatics (who cycled over) practically ran up the mountain while some of us took it nice and steady. The sense of camaraderie was absolutely brilliant, everyone was chatting, encouraging each other and it was great craic. Don’t get me wrong, the climb wasn’t easy but the sense of achievement when you reached the top was extremely rewarding. Overall, it was a fantastic day that will raise valuable funds for the Oncology Unit and people can donate here.
A message from Adelle:
Well what can I say but thanks to each and everyone who made today so special. It was an absolutely horrendous day and still people came out to support such a great cause. A year ago yesterday our lives were turned upside down and inside out, but now I’m the other side of it I want to give back to other patients that are facing into their chemotherapy journey, its not an easy one but I was one of the lucky ones I have an amazing husband, kids, Mum, Dad, Brother, Sister, Mother-in-law, Father-in-Law, Sisters-in-Law, Brothers-in-Law without whom we couldn’t have done it. Our kids were always in safe hands and I never worried about them and thank God they are three happy kids. I’d like to thank everyone from Base Camp today who kept the tea/coffee/soup going and the kids entertained, the sandwich makers (Mum, Aunty Pat & Ally), O’Hara’s of Foxford who donated all the bread, Eurospar, Swinford who donated all the ham and turkey, Sean Julian who donated the soup and to Corrib Oil who donated the coffee cups. I’ll post pictures tomorrow and once again thanks to everyone who came today and who donated online I really do appreciate it. Once I have a final amount raised I will let you all know. I really am a lucky girl to have amazing family and friends. Thanks again Adelle xxxxx
