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A journey like no other: The Trilogy is complete

Nine days, nine marathons, one goal – to reach the site of Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge, a new cancer respite centre providing invaluable care to families from across the island of Ireland.

In 2021, Daisy Lodge was the beginning of an idea. Now, it’s well on its way to being complete, with the centre standing on the shores of Lough Corrib in County Mayo, Ireland.

The journey of the past five years has been immense, with fundraising a huge element of turning Daisy Lodge into a reality.

Leading the charge has been ACT Trustee and rugby star Rory Best, through his Miles 2 Mayo walking challenges, covering hundreds of miles across the Emerald Isle to raise vital funds.

Returning for one final Miles 2 Mayo challenge, The Trilogy, this September, the ambition was greater than ever with the largest distance yet – walking nine marathons in nine days, covering 235 miles.

We celebrate and reflect on this incredible challenge.

Going the distance to build Daisy Lodge

Cancer Fund for Children has been a cause Arachas, together with The Ardonagh Group and ACT, have rallied behind for over five years.

Over that time, the collective efforts of our businesses and our people have helped raise over £1 million towards the centre, which when opened next year will include ‘The Ardonagh Wing’.

At Daisy Lodge, Cancer Fund for Children and its team of specialists offer care, support, and, most importantly, a chance to connect and laugh for families on a cancer journey.

With over 50 families on a waiting list for support at any one time, Daisy Lodge will make a huge difference when it matters most.

The build of Daisy Lodge in County Cong is well underway and due to open in 2027.

The Trilogy complete

From 12 to 20 September, Rory, plus business leaders from Ireland and around the world donned their trainers to complete marathons in Derry/Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, Limerick and Galway before finishing in Cong, Co. Mayo at the site of the new Daisy Lodge.

Participants trod around 50,000 steps a day, with each step taking Daisy Lodge closer to completion.

As lead sponsor, Arachas were at the forefront of the challenge, with Julie Galbraith, Chief Business Officer & General Counsel, and David Jermyn, Head of Corporate Development, aiming to do all nine marathons – plus CEO, Joey Wynne, also joining the route.

Alongside, several Ardonagh leaders from Group, Ardonagh Europe and Envest, also lent their support, and steps, to get involved including David Ross, Ardonagh Group Chief Executive Officer; John Tiner, Ardonagh Group Chairman; Aurelio Cusaro, Ardonagh Group Chief Investment Officer; Des O’Connor Ardonagh Group Chief Commercial Office, Conor Brennan, CEO Ardonagh Europe; Greg Mullins, CEO Envest Group; and Agusti Pascual, Chief Administrative Officer, Ardonagh Europe.

As ever, Arachas colleagues rallied behind the challenge with incredible spirit, not only with colleagues joining stages of the walk, but with office fundraisers, including completing the 235 miles total distance on day one using bikes, rowing machines and more.

As ever, Arachas were avid supporters of the challenge every step of the way.
Arachas got out the running machines and rowers to complete extra miles in aid of the challenge.

Reaching the finish line

The final day’s walk saw Rory and participants arrive at Daisy Lodge, with Rory unveiling a stone to mark the impact of the Miles 2 Mayo challenges.

Rory with a beneficiary of Cancer Fund for Children at the site of Daisy Lodge, unveiling the stone in honour of the Miles 2 Mayo challenges.

A real moment, The Trilogy has raised an amazing €1.7 million so far – the highest Miles 2 Mayo total yet – with Arachas and Ardonagh contributing over €220,000 to this worthy figure.

Rory Best led business leaders from across Ireland and around the world over the course of nine marathons.

Find out more and support The Trilogy

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