Daisy Lodge staff take on 2.6 Challenge

Daisy Lodge staff take on 2.6 Challenge

27 May 2020

STAFF at a children’s cancer charity home in Newcastle have taken on the 2.6 Challenge to help support the facility during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The hospitality team at Daisy Lodge, which is run by the Cancer Fund For Children, have decided to help meet a critical shortfall in fundraising.

Manager of the hospitality team, Joan Burden says the charity’s fundraising revenue has ped by 90% since the lockdown. 

Joan said: “The future of the facility, which almost entirely depends on public donations to keep going, may have been in jeopardy but for the passion and commitment of our team.

Thirteen staff members decided they would attempt to raise £2,600 over 26 days by taking up various physical challenges. 

Joan was thrilled they managed to reach almost twice their target amount when one anonymous donor pledged £2000 for their efforts last weekend.

She said: “We’re taking on individual challenges for Cancer Fund for Children because families need the charity’s support more than ever. 

“We wanted to do something to help support the many families we have greeted to Daisy Lodge over the years, as well as those who have just being referred to the facility. 

“I am proud of the dedication shown by the team in throwing themselves into the 2.6 Challenge,” she said.

Joan is leading by example and cycling 2.6 miles every day of the challenge. Martell Kennedy, from Kilcoo is walking 2.6 miles each day, Mary McEvoy, also from Kilcoo, is doing 260 skips a day, Maureen Flynn, from Loughinisland, is completing 26 burpees a day, and Kirsty Moorhead, from Annalong, is doing 26 lunges a day. 

Mary Gibney, from Loughinisland, is doing 26 minutes of pilates a day, Marian Kiripolszky, from Annalong, is running up and down her stairs 26 times a day,  Anita O’Hare, from Drumaness, is hopping on each foot 26 times a day and Andrew Taylor, from Maghera, is completing two agility courses with his dog each day.

Bronach Maginn, from Castlewellan, has been posting a positive affirmation each day, Damien Fitzpatrick, from Longstone, is jogging 2.6 miles a day, Roisin McAnulty, from Newcastle, is baking 26 tarts, which she is delivering to her neighbours, and Diane O’Hare, from Kilcoo, has stopped eating bread for every day of the challenge.

Joan says that just to keep the facility operating it relies upon 90% of fundraising from the public. 

“It is a tough time for the charity who are still trying to deliver services and one-to-one support online to families,” Joan said.

“We are very grateful to Kilcoo GAC who have kindly supported us and joined in our 2.6 challenge. It has become a real community effort.” 

You can keep you up to date with the team’s progress on the Mourne Fundraising Group for Cancer Fund for Children’s Facebook page.