Shane McDermott has his walking boots ready for the Charity walk up Cuilcagh Mountain
Ever wanted to climb a mountain? Now you have your chance as former Fermanagh footballer, Shane McDermott, is asking people to join him on Saturday September 7 and scale Cuilcaigh mountain in aid of the Sam Bradley Care Fund.
Sam Bradley, the two year old toddler from Belnaleck, is fighting neuroblastoma, a rare cancer that could require treatment abroad either in the next few months on in the event of relapse which is unfortunately all too common with this cancer.
Shane was captain of the Fermanagh team that reached the All Ireland semi final in 2004 and Sam’s dad, Colm, was also a member of that team;
“I would have played with and against Colm for years and was just so shocked when I heard the news about Sam. I can’t imagine what it must be like for Colm and his wife Michelle and I just wanted to do something to try and help,” said Shane.
Climbers will assemble at Swanlinbar GAA club at 10:00am on Saturday 7 September and a bus will bring them to the base of the mountain to begin their climb.
You can register for the climb at www.togetherforsam.com/product or you can contact Shane himself at shane.mcdermott@wardandburke.ie or on 00353866000839. It costs £20 to register for the climb.
“Hopefully we can get a good crowd to do the climb. I’m sure it won’t be too strenuous and it is all for a good cause after all,” Shane explained.
Sam’s dad Colm said that he was overwhelmed with the response from the people of Fermanagh and further afield.
“It has been amazing. Myself and Michelle have organised only two fundraisers for Sam, everything else has been organised by people coming to us and asking can they help. Shane came to me right at the start and said he wanted to do something and we are touched by his efforts.”
And Colm revealed that he might even try and scale the mountain himself;
“Both myself and Shane would not be as fit as we once were and we are probably carrying a little excess padding too but I’m sure we will make it to the top.”
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