Scaling the heights – without leaving home

A local radio presenter is aiming to tackle the might of Mount Everest at the weekend – without ever leaving Galway.

Donal Mahon plans to cycle the equivalent of climbing the world’s tallest mountain in a challenge that will raise badly needed funds for the Galway Parkinson’s Association.

The presenter of Galway Bay FM’s The Home Run show, Donal aims to complete 120 trips along a stretch of the Mountain Road between Moycullen and Spiddal known as The Hill, in less than 24 hours.

That will add up to 8,848 metres of climbing, covering more than 335km in a challenge which will start at midnight on Saturday night.

Cyclists of all abilities are being invited to join Donal for a few laps on Sunday.

The Galway Parkinson’s Association will host a BBQ in The Coach House, Moycullen, on Sunday from 1pm and will be there to support Donal on his final stage of the challenge at around 6pm.

The funds raised by this event will go towards physiotherapy and speech classes for people with Parkinson’s in Galway

People can support the cause and make a donation by clicking on the idonate link on the association’s website, www.galwayparkinsons.com.

Galway Parkinson’s is a voluntary group for people with Parkinson’s, their family members and carers in Galway City and County.  They meet on a monthly basis in The Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit, on the third Wednesday of each month at 8pm.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.