Carr and McNaughton step up for Daisy Lodge Mournes fundraiser

Carr and McNaughton step up for Daisy Lodge Mournes fundraiser

24 September 2025

TWO GAA legends are embarking upon a three-day walking fundraiser in the Mournes in aid of the Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Lodge therapeutic centre.

Former Down gaelic star Ross Carr and former Antrim hurler Terence McNaughton are donning their walking boots next month to raise funds for the charity which supports children and young people living with cancer, as well as their families. 

The duo, who head off to climb two peaks Friday, October 3, will be joined along the way by a host of leading names from the GAA world.

They include Down GAA’s Laura Doran and Michael O’Hagan, Antrim’s Jane Adams, Armagh’s Caroline O’Hanlon, Declan Loughman and Jason Hughes (Monaghan GAA), Paul McAnallen (Tyrone GAA) and, Alan Milton from GAA headquarters in Croke Park.

The ‘Pitch to Peaks’ programme will see Ross and Terence lead their GAA colleagues across the Mournes, with the spectacular route including Clonduff GAA’s base, Slieve Martin, Kilbroney Park, Silent Valley Park, Slieve Binnian, Carrick Little, Bloody Bridge and Slieve Donard. 

The walks have been planned and will be supported by an expert team.

Double Sam Maguire winner Carr said the Mournes are a special place and he’s “honoured” to walk them in aid of Cancer Fund for Children.

“This charity makes a real difference to families across Ireland and I hope our efforts can play a small part in supporting their hard work,” he added.

Ahead of the fundraiser McNaughton said he’s delighted to work and walk alongside the former Down star and lend his support to such a worthy cause. 

“Cancer is something that touches so many families and when it impacts children it is particularly challenging and deserving of our support,” he said.

“We are calling on the wider GAA Community to get behind this initiative and lend their support to those who need it most by donating and acknowledging those embarking on the three-day trek across one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland using the link below.”

The cancer charity’s regional community fundraiser and engagement lead, Cormac McMullan, said every week across the island of Ireland, approximately 10 children and young people aged from birth up to the age of 24 are diagnosed with cancer. 

“The support we provide to these children and their families simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible fundraising efforts of people like Ross and Terrence,” he said.

“We are so grateful to them for taking on this mammoth task and wish them the very best in the climb ahead.”

The Cancer Fund for Children is an island of Ireland charity that provides emotional, social and therapeutic support to children, young people and families impacted by cancer. 

The money raised via the forthcoming challenge spearheaded by Ross and Terence will allow the charity to be there for even 

more children when they need them most.

The charity’s approach is rooted in compassion, flexibility and a deep understanding of the needs of children and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.

And it has revealed that currently, demand for short breaks at Daisy Lodge far exceeds capacity, with only one in seven families able to be accommodated. 

To meet this growing need, construction of a second therapeutic centre in Co. Mayo is scheduled to begin later this year.

To support the fundraiser visit  https://www.justgiving.com/page/pitchtopeaks