AN ambitious group will take on Slieve Donard on Saturday in a bid to highlight the lack of suitable holiday accommodation for adults and children with complex needs.
The fundraiser is the brainchild of powerchair football star Sean McKinney, the Belfast teenager who represented Northern Ireland at last October’s World Cup in Australia.
As a 30-strong group made up of family and friends prepare to tackle the 850m climb, the aim is to raise £850 for Hoist Away Holidays, a project to build a fully-equipped holiday facility - complete with ramps, hoists and electric beds – in Ballycastle.
Over 20 friends and relatives will gather in Newcastle on Saturday morning and, while the rugged mountain path prohibits Sean from completing the climb, he will be there at the start and finish to show his support.
“The event will very much be children-focused, as Sean’s young cousins and nephew – who are aged between eight and 15 - will be taking part,” said Sean’s father, Sean sr.
“Four of the children will make the trip from Donegal, while others are coming from Belfast. Slieve Donard is a tough climb and the children being up for this to support their cousin and nephew’s fundraiser is marvellous.
“Sean is very aware of the lack of suitable disabled holiday accommodation, and wanted to do his bit to try and help make the dream of Sharon and Richard Douglas from Hoist Away Holidays come true. Richard and Sharon will be there on the day to present the children with certificates of achievement.
“The fact that Sean, the organiser of the event, will be the only person not staying overnight in Newcastle after the climb speaks volumes for the dearth of suitable holiday accommodation for those with complex physical needs and highlights just how much a facility such as Hoist Away Holidays is needed.”
While in Newcastle, and prior to the fundraising climb, family members will visit the Slieve Donard hotel, where there is a garden bench dedicated to the memory of Sean sr’s great, great grandfather Francis Magee.
A labourer from Castlewellan, Francis Magee died during the construction of the hotel in 1897, and family members intend to replace the existing plaque on the memorial bench.
To support Saturday’s fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sean-mckinney-3?utm_term=vqR7Yzwp2