18/05/2017

100 Serving And Retired Garda To Take Part In 'Four Peak Challenge'

A group of 100 serving and retired members of An Garda Síochána are to take part in a 'Four Peak Mountain Challenge' this month.

The aim of the challenge is to promote mental health awareness within the organisation and in the wider community, while also hoping to raise much needed funds for the Charity Aware.

The event is a three-day challenge in which participants will climb the highest mountain peak in each of the four provinces of Ireland. Participants will be accompanied by serving officers from the NYPD, PSNI, Australian and Spanish Police who are taking part in and supporting the challenge.

The event named 'Garda 4 Peaks Challenge' will take place as follows:

• Day 1: Carrauntoohil (Kerry) 1039m, (3,414ft) – Friday 19th May 2017

• Day 2: Mweelrea (Mayo) 814m (2,688ft) – Saturday 20th May 2017 / Slieve Donard (Down) 850m (2,796ft) – Saturday 20th May 2017

• Day 3: Lugnaquilla (Wicklow) 925m (3,039ft) – Sunday 21st May 2017

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O Sullivan said: "I'm very pleased to be associated with this very deserving and worthwhile cause. I'm also delighted that my Garda colleagues and some of our international colleagues from abroad are taking on this challenge to raise both the awareness of mental health issues, and much needed funds for Aware."

Dominic Layden, CEO at Aware, added: "Fundraising efforts like The Garda Four Peaks Challenge are worth so much more than just' the monetary value of what is raised. Aware's services have such a profound impact on people, families, and homes across Ireland. Depression and bipolar disorder can have a huge affect on the person themselves, not to mention on family life and relationships, and things like work and study too."

(MH/JP)

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