They’re billing it as the Great Grey Mountain Challenge and they’re looking for contemporaries to take on the climb with them.
But this is no ordinary mountain and these are no ordinary men. If a previous mercy mission to Africa with the Ray of Sunshine Foundation in 2016 makes him a missionary veteran, then Charlie Farrelly is just that – and a great ambassador too.
Though he has deeply chiseled memories to go with the experience, he’s going again in February 2018.
Do Good for Someone
I told you here a month or more ago that his great friend and ally, Willie Reidy decided to join the Ray of Sunshine expedition with Charlie because he wanted do do some good for someone.
I met the two of them on Sunday afternoon and they’re full of enthusiasm for the stern tasks that lay ahead of them.
Willie made his decision to join the expedition in the deep mid-winter and I wondered if he had any second thoughts. “Not a single one and in fact the more time goes on the more I’m looking forward to it,” he assured.
The men will be joined by Martina O’Mahony and Hannah Curtin and they were also on the 2016 building project team.
Take on Carrauntoohil
The Great Grey Mountain Challenge will take on Carrauntoohil on Saturday, August 5th and volunteer climbers and back-up team members and sponsors are being invited to join the team.
People from other parts of the country travelling to Africa with the foundation are also being invited to use the Carrauntoohil climb also as part of their fundraising activity.
While the 2016 Ray of Sunshine campaign volunteers built a rescue home for girls used in the sex trafficking industry in Mombasa, the 2018 effort will concentrate on a similar centre of refuge in Kikambala, Mombasa for boys used in the same industry.
The volunteer party from Ireland will travel to Mombasa in January and February 2018.
Services of Trades People
To fulfill their mission they are calling for the services of trades people who can give 11 days out of their busy lives to travel and assist in the construction of the rescue home.
If you are a blocklayer, plumber, plasterer, electrician, landscaper, painter, tiler, roofer or whatever your trade is, the foundation would love to hear from you.
Four groups will travel and each individual volunteer will be assigned to a group according to skills and trades. The building will be complete and officially opened before the departure of the final group.
A Fundraising Pack
The cost to travel is €3,000 and this covers flights, accommodation, transfers, insurance and more importantly covers the cost of all the materials for the building.
The Ray of Sunshine Foundation will provide volunteers with a fundraising pack which includes fund raising ideas, posters, sponsorship cards and brochures.
You can find out more if you tap into: http://www.rayofsunshine.ie/project-2018.html
If you’re looking for information of a more local nature, Charlie Farrelly can be contacted on: 087 20 56 150 or Willie Reidy on: 087 12 38 787.
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