€30,499 Raised with the Channel Mechanics 2023 Charity Challenge
Channel Mechanics continuously shows its commitment to making a meaningful impact in our community and supporting local Galway-based charities. And with that, the Channel Mechanics 2023 Charity Challenge saw the team once again set an ambitious fundraising target of €20,000 in support of Ability West and Western Alzheimer’s, two charities close to the hearts of many of our employees.
Having decided on the charities and the financial target, the next step was to decide upon what physical challenge the team would undertake to achieve this goal! After some deliberation, 41 team members committed to embarking on a challenging journey along The Great Western Greenway, a dedicated cycling and walking trail along the Atlantic Coast.
The challenge and fundraiser were a resounding success, with fundraising efforts far surpassing our initial target. Channel Mechanics delightedly welcomed both charities to our Galway headquarters recently, to present cheques amounting to the value of €30,499.
See the Team in Action!
“Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail”
With our challenge and date chosen, it was time to get training. While some of the team are regular cycling enthusiasts, others had not touched a bike in over 10 years. This meant preparations were essential for the 44km route ahead of us! Naturally, the training turned into some healthy competition among the team. Ultimately, motivating many of us to hit the gym either before or after work. Others chose to keep their training outdoors, with a mixture of cycling, walking, and even kayaking! And of course, the support from friends and family kept our spirits high as the big day drew close.
Conquering the Great Western Greenway
Finally, the big day had arrived, with the team ready to take the challenge head-on. The unique route provided us with some spectacular landscapes from Westport to Achill, passing by Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay, and the Nephin Beg Mountain Range. Indeed a welcome distraction as the lactic acid continued to build! Additionally, we had the opportunity to get up close and personal with local cows, sheep, horses, and other wildlife. Meanwhile, our walkers endeavored on their 14km trail from Mulranny to Achill, encountering spectacular views of the Achill Island coastline.
“We embarked on this year’s charity challenge with a shared sense of purpose, in aid of two amazing charities close to the hearts of many team members. Our fundraising achievement of €30, 499, well above our initial target, is a testament to our team’s relentless commitment to everything we do, with big smiles and lots of laughter on the day…a true team effort.”
– Kenneth Fox, CEO at Channel Mechanics
Some team members took the challenge one step further, adding in some planned (and not so-planned) detours along the way to clock up a few extra kilometers! While others took their recovery very seriously, factoring in some pit stops to ‘rehydrate‘ along the way. And with no surprise, the weather of the Wild Atlantic Way ensured that it was not an easy ride. The team battled a mix of sun, rain, and strong winds over the course of the 3-hour cycle and walk.
This, however, was no match for the team’s dedication to completing The Great Western Greenway. After both a mental and physical challenge, everyone safely arrived in Achill, ready for some much-needed relaxation! The event certainly provided a great opportunity to bring the team together and take a well-deserved break from the office. That evening, we returned to Westport to celebrate with a team dinner and drinks, where we shared stories from the day and reflected on our achievements.
Exceeding Our Target
Having initially set a target of €20,000, the fundraiser far surpassed our initial goal, totaling €30,499 in charitable donations. This would not have been possible without the generous donations from our families, friends, business partners, and customers, for which we are beyond grateful! In addition to taking part in the challenge, Channel Mechanics once again implemented our innovative ‘Donate a Day’ scheme which has now been running for four consecutive years. This scheme enabled employees to volunteer a day’s salary towards the fundraiser, with the company matching €200 for each contribution.
A Word from the Beneficiary Charities:
Ability West
“We are hugely grateful to all the staff in Channel Mechanics for their incredible support of Ability West from this year’s fundraising initiative. We are delighted to be chosen as one of the benefiting charities this year for their annual charity challenge.
The team raised an incredible amount. Receiving support from members of the community is vital for us to continue providing high-quality services and support to people with an intellectual disability who avail of our services. Fundraising is vital to us at Ability West as it provides the organization with the resources to fund projects not funded by the HSE such as Assistive Technology, Sensory Gardens, Transport, and Renovations; to adapt some of our buildings and vehicles to meet the changing needs of the people we support.
Our mission is to empower people with disabilities to live self-directed lives in an equal and inclusive society. Each person is supported and valued within an environment that promotes their overall autonomy, health, and wellbeing, which enables them to reach their potential.”
– Michael Flanagan, Community Development Officer at Ability West
Western Alzheimer’s
“We humbly and gratefully thank Channel Mechanics for their most generous fundraising of €15,249.50 and to those who contributed to it. It is difficult to portray in words our deep gratitude.
Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain and can happen to anyone. Approximately 4,000 people per year develop some form of dementia in Ireland – that is 11 people per day. While dementia is more common in older ages, more than 4,000 people under the age of 65 live with dementia.
Western Alzheimer’s aim is to help people living with dementia in the west of Ireland to continue to enjoy meaningful lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. We are currently in the process of increasing capacity in Marian House which is our Dementia Respite Home in Ballindine so these funds could not have come at a better time.”
– Caroline Boyle, Fundraising Manager at Western Alzheimer’s
Get Involved
Channel Mechanics encourages those who can to join in our efforts to support Ability West and Western Alzheimer’s. To contribute or learn more about these outstanding organizations, please visit www.abilitywest.ie and www.westernalzheimers.ie and lend your support.