A step closer to Daisy Lodge
Over the past few years, Arachas have united behind their charity partner, Cancer Fund for Children, in their mission to build a new respite centre in Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.
Daisy Lodge 2.0 will be the charity’s second centre, serving families impacted by childhood cancer from right across the Emerald Isle – alongside the existing centre in Newcastle, County Down.
Each year, Cancer Fund for Children supports over 1,500 children and young people and 500 families impacted by cancer with therapeutic short breaks at Daisy Lodge County Down. At any one time there is a waiting list of over 50 families, which is why the second centre is so important – providing relief and the invaluable opportunity for families to spend quality time together.
A monumental journey
Arachas first got behind Cancer Fund For Children in 2021 when, together with Ardonagh and ACT, they rallied behind the charity’s first major fundraiser with rugby legend and ACT Trustee, Rory Best.
The inaugural Miles2Mayo challenge saw Rory – plus supporters including Arachas and Ardonagh at points throughout – walk 180 miles from Co. Down to Co. Mayo and ignited Arachas’ commitment to the cause, who they have remained partners with ever since.
Five years later and Arachas have continued their incredible efforts to fundraise for Daisy Lodge, including sponsoring the second Miles2Mayo event in 2023, walking across eight counties over ten days, and most recently the 26 Mountains2Mayo challenge in 2025 which saw Cancer Fund For Children advocates and many Arachas colleagues scale 26 Irish peaks in just one week.
Combined, these challenges have raised over €4.3 million – all contributing to the build of Daisy Lodge 2.0
Daisy Lodge 2.0 build underway
On the shores of the tranquil Lough Corrib, Daisy Lodge 2.0 will be a new 30,000 square foot, carbon neutral therapeutic centre co-designed by staff, children and parents. After the first earth was turned last July, a major step forward has been taken with the building works now truly underway.
As of the end of January, the building has now officially reached first‑floor level, with the concrete poured and staircases completed up to the first floor.
Once completed, Daisy Lodge, Co. Mayo will enable Cancer Fund For Children to increase the number of children and parents supported each year from 1,800 to 4,000 – making a difference in a way no number can truly represent.
The challenge doesn’t stop here – The Trilogy ahead
The building may be making amazing progress, but the efforts don’t stop here.
In September this year, Arachas will once again be sponsoring a fundraising feat as Rory Best leads ‘The Trilogy’ – walking nine marathons in nine days and covering 235 miles walking around 50,000 steps daily across Derry/Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, Limerick, Galway before finishing in Cong, Co. Mayo.
From 12–20 September, this incredible group will walk nine marathons in nine days. They’ll cover 235 miles throughout the island of Ireland, walking around 50,000 steps daily across Derry, Belfast, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, Limerick, Galway before finishing in Cong, Co. Mayo.
Arachas colleagues will be joining in the challenge, which will involve around 50,000 steps daily and participants put their physical and mental endurance to the test to raise vital funds so we can continue to support families impacted by childhood cancer when they need us most.
Julie Galbraith, Chief Business Officer, Arachas attended an event at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast to create awareness for Rory’s new challenge and recruit Northern Irish business leaders to join.
Learn more about Cancer Fund for Children on their website cancerfundforchildren.com
