Cross Cooley Challenge raises more than €86,000 for two Louth charities

Erol Boyle, Brian Watters, Fergus McArdle, Colin Fee and Jennifer Harrison of the Cross Cooley Challenge organising team presenting a cheque for € 43,263 to Helen O’Malley and Paula Dowdall of the Maria Goretti Foundation at the Cross Cooley presentation night in the Greenore Bar. Pics: Arthur Kinahan | Arthur Kinahan

placeholder image — Erol Boyle, Brian Watters, Fergus McArdle, Colin Fee and Jennifer Harrison of the Cross Cooley Challenge organising team presenting a cheque for € 43,263 to Helen O’Malley and Paula Dowdall of the Maria Goretti Foundation at the Cross Cooley presentation night in the Greenore Bar. Pics: Arthur Kinahan | Arthur Kinahan

Cooley fundraiser raised money for the Maria Goretti Foundation and North Louth Hospice

More than €86,000 was raised for two vital local charities as this year's Cross Cooley Challenge once again proved the strength of community spirit across the region.

A total of €43,263 was presented to the Maria Goretti Foundation, while €43,383 was raised for North Louth Hospice, with hundreds of walkers taking part in the annual fundraising event.

Members of the Cross Cooley Challenge team organisers Seamus Gormley, Erol Boyle, Seamus Bailey and Colin Fee presenting a cheque for €43,383 to North Louth Hospice members Ann Newell, Maura O’Callaghan and Mary Murphy at the Cross Cooley cheque presentation in the Greenore Bar. PICS: Arthur Kinahan | Arthur Kinahan

Walkers from across the region took on the Cooley Mountains on Saturday 23 May.

Now in its 14th year, the much-loved fundraising event continues to draw strong community support, raising vital funds for North Louth Hospice and the Maria Goretti Foundation. Since its inception in 2013, the challenge has raised over €500,000, with nearly 500 participants taking part last year alone.

Participants completed a 15.4km hike from Ravensdale to Carlingford, taking in some of the most scenic views in the region. Designed to be completed at various paces, the event is open to individuals, groups of friends, families and corporate teams, with many returning year after year.

Errol Boyle from the Cross Cooley Challenge team said: “Every year the support from the local community is incredible. People come back again and again, and there’s a real sense of togetherness on the day.

“It’s a great challenge, but it’s also about supporting two charities that mean a lot to so many families in the area.”