Galway SNA prepares to climb Croagh Patrick three times in one day to raise money for her school
By Dan Maher
Alison Sheahan is getting ready to climb Croagh Patrick three times in a single day this June to fundraise for her school.
The 28-year-old is an SNA at St Teresa’s Special School in Ballinasloe and the money raised will be used to revamp the existing playground.
The SNA’s training for the challenge which will take place on the first day of June is well underway.
“I’ve climbed Croagh Patrick twice this year already and hoping to get a few more climbs in before June,” Alison said.
So how did the idea come about?
“When the principal was discussing fundraising for the school, we came up with the idea of climbing Croagh Patrick, we thought that climbing it once had no meaning so maybe three times in the one day might be good, so it just spiralled from there and it became the fundraiser.”
Alson has not completed this feat before but she has previous climbing experience.
“I’ve climbed Carrauntoohil, and when you look at the logistics of it it’s actually the same height as Carrantuohill when you climb Croagh Patrick three times.” she said. “I am well able to hike!”
As well as the personal challenge involved, this fundraiser is of huge importance to the Ballinasloe special school. The goal is to raise €10,000 for St Teresa’s.
“We’ve currently raised nearly €6,000 which I’m overwhelmed with and floored by. The community have really gotten behind it. Local creches have held different fundraiser days and local businesses donated as well as the parents of the kids who have been phenomenal in raising money,” she said.
“I chose to upgrade the playground in the school, we currently have 48 students and one playground that’s facilitating all of the students.”
With the climb taking place on June 1, she is quietly confident that the fundraiser will be a success.
“I’m feeling pretty good, I’ve a lot of support, even the staff are going to go down on the day to support me,” she said.
“It is going to be a big personal challenge but I think the end result of getting the playground restored and revamped for the kids is a great motivation for me.”
