Our Journey Up Slieve Donard: Making a Real Difference for Children Affected by Cancer

The MANTIS team proudly announced our ambition to conquer Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest peak, in support of the incredible Cancer Fund for Children. We're thrilled to confirm that on Friday, 20th June, our team successfully swapped spreadsheets for hiking boots, not only reaching the summit but also surpassing our fundraising target!

Every week, three children and young people in Northern Ireland receive a cancer diagnosis – a sobering statistic that fuelled our determination. Our hike wasn't just about the physical challenge; it was about contributing vital funds and raising awareness for an organisation that provides indispensable practical, emotional, and financial support to over 1,500 children and young people (aged 0-24) affected by cancer each year, and their families.

Inspired by an Epic Challenge: Mark Dowds and 26 Mountains 2 Mayo

Our Slieve Donard ascent was deeply connected to the awe-inspiring 26 Mountains 2 Mayo (26M2M) challenge. Our Chairman and Belfast-based tech entrepreneur, Mark Dowds, along with 24 fellow business owners, embarked on an extraordinary journey: trekking through Ireland, conquering 26 of its highest peaks in just nine days. This incredible feat involved nearly 11,000 metres of ascent, 1.25 times the height of Mount Everest from sea level!

Mark, who has personal experience with cancer and recovery, powerfully stated that "conquering cancer – especially for a child or young person – can feel just as insurmountable" as climbing these mountains. The 26M2M campaign has made phenomenal progress towards its £1 million target for the Cancer Fund for Children. While Team MANTIS didn't take on the full 26M2M, we were incredibly proud to contribute to this amazing cause by undertaking our own demanding team challenge on Slieve Donard.

Why Cancer Fund for Children? A Lifeline for Families

Cancer Fund for Children provides indispensable practical, emotional, and financial support to over 1,500 children and young people (aged 0-24) affected by cancer each year, and their families. They are a listening ear during the toughest times, offering therapeutic short breaks, and crucial support in hospitals and homes across Ireland.

Their impact is profound:
They assist children diagnosed with cancer.
They support young people living with a parent facing cancer.
They offer families essential emotional, social, and therapeutic support.
They provide over 450 therapeutic short breaks annually.
Crucially, about 95% of families report they managed cancer better after receiving their support.
One of their havens, Daisy Lodge, is nestled at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, very near where Slieve Donard stands. This sanctuary allows families to create precious memories together, even amidst hardship. As Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, perfectly stated: "This campaign is more than just a challenge, it's a lifeline for children and families battling the toughest fight of their lives." Our climb ensures that fewer children have to face cancer alone.

MANTIS Team Smashes Fundraising Goal: £2,343 Raised!

We're absolutely delighted to announce that Team MANTIS successfully raised an incredible £2,343 for the Cancer Fund for Children, exceeding our initial target of £2,000! This fantastic achievement is a testament to the dedication of our team and the incredible generosity of our supporters. Every single pound will directly help the Cancer Fund for Children continue their life-changing services. Following our successful hike, we celebrated our collective effort with a well-deserved team meal, further strengthening our MANTIS community spirit.

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The MANTIS Hike: A Challenge Conquered with Purpose

Slieve Donard, standing proudly at 850m, isn't just Northern Ireland's highest peak; it's a powerful symbol of the mountains these children and their families strive to overcome daily.

Our team successfully tackled the approximately 10km round trip, following the well-known Glen River trail from Donard car park in Newcastle. We traversed rich forests of pine, birch, and oak, with the path gradually steepening across several bridges over the river, before the final ascent to the summit via the saddle between Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh.

The breathtaking views from the summit, potentially stretching to the Isle of Man, the Wicklow Mountains, and even peaks in Wales, Scotland, and Donegal, were our reward. This peak, named after Saint Donard and featuring the iconic Mourne Wall, provided a meaningful backdrop for our successful fundraising efforts.

This challenge truly embodied the MANTIS team spirit – a testament to our teamwork, our willingness to push our limits, and our commitment to enjoying the incredible outdoors while giving back to a vital cause.

Every Step, Every Pound Makes a Difference – And Continues To!

The money we raised, thanks to your incredible generosity, will directly fund Cancer Fund for Children's vital services. Small gifts can purchase resources for Cancer Support Specialists, helping children share their fears in a safe space. Larger donations might fund an hour of vital home support for a child coping with a parent's cancer diagnosis, or help send young people to programmes where they can learn coping skills alongside others in similar situations.

As Mark Dowds reminds us, "Together, we'll continue to make sure no child faces cancer alone."

Thank You for Your Incredible Support!

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported Team MANTIS on our Slieve Donard climb. Your generous donations provided crucial support and will bring comfort to children and families affected by cancer. We're immensely proud of what we achieved together!
You can still learn more via the links below:
Team MANTIS on our Slieve Donard climb via our JustGiving page here
Mark Dowds' incredible 26M2M challenge here