PHOTOS Rory Best arrives at International Rugby Experience as part of his 330km endurance challenge

Pictured (l-r) Harvey Wallace, David Wallace, Julia Rose Wallace, Jodie Best, Ben Best, Penny Best, Rory Best, Paul O’Connell. Photo: Keith Wiseman

Former Ireland, Lions, and Ulster Rugby Captain Rory Best arrived at The International Rugby Experience in Limerick as part of his Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo challenge, a 330km trek in aid of children’s cancer charity, Cancer Fund for Children

Rory arrived at this world class facility at approximately 4.30pm, having walked almost 200km from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin which he took off from on Tuesday 16 th May. Rory was welcomed to the city by Garda escort as he walked through the University of Limerick Campus and into the city centre before arriving at the International Rugby Experience on O’Connell Street.

Rory was accompanied by 15 supporters made up of friends, family, former teammates and sponsors and was welcomed to the experience by Paul O’Connell, Former Lions, Ireland and Munster Captain and now International Rugby Experience Chairman.

Best told I Love Limerick, “This is the end of day six, we have four more days to go, the support so far has been incredible we want more and more people to come out and support.”

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Speaking on this visit, Barry Hannon, CEO of the International Rugby Experience said, “We were delighted to welcome Rory to the International Rugby Experience today. The Miles 2 Mayo challenge is a huge undertaking by Rory, and Cancer Fund for Children is such a worthy cause. We wish Rory and all the team behind him the very best for the last few days of the challenge”.

Rory commenced his walk from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday last and has been joined along the way by sports stars, members of the business community and the public. He will complete the journey on the site of the new therapeutic facility, Daisy Lodge, on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong, County Mayo. Best’s target is to raise €2 million to make this much needed centre a reality and help ensure no child has to face cancer alone.

The rugby legend and supporters departed Limerick on Monday, May 15 following a fundraising breakfast at a venue he knows only too well, Thomond Park.

Speaking as he set off from Limerick, Rory said, “Thomond Park was never an easy venue to visit over the years but today was something very special. I’m blown away by the turn-out, many old friends who I was delighted to meet up with again but also new ones who have, equally, pledged their support for this wonderful cause.”

Regarding his goal of raising €2m for the much-needed facility, he said: “I’m delighted to be doing my bit to help bring another therapeutic facility to Ireland for families impacted by childhood cancer.”

A childhood cancer diagnosis can impact on the whole family. Hospital appointments, treatment and the pressures of navigating this experience can leave a family feeling disconnected and exhausted. Short breaks at Daisy Lodge provide children with cancer a space to rest, time with their families and build connections with others their own age going through the same things. They get to be treated like the stars they are.”

The event was attended by 200 guests who heard from the legendary hooker as he recounted the walk and how he has been inspired by the people he met on the journeys, including many with their own cancer stories. He was joined onstage by Munster legend Billy Holland; Olive Foley, wife of the late Anthony Foley; and retired Limerick hurler Shane Dowling for a panel discussion compered by MC and broadcaster Louise Cantillon, all of whom paid tribute to Best and the work of the Cancer Fund for Children charity.  

Attendees also included families who’ve been on the cancer journey with their children and are accompanying Best on the route, including Kevin Clancy, who talked of his 15year-old son Alex‘s battle and admiration for what Rory is undertaking.

“When Alex was diagnosed with cancer our lives were turned upside down in seconds. Rory is going above and beyond to raise money for families in a similar situation to ours and we’re delighted to be getting behind him, joining him at this special breakfast at Thomond Park and walking with him on the route,” said Kevin.

“Alex is a passionate rugby player and his rugby family and Cancer Fund for Children have been so supportive on his journey so far. We are really happy to give some of this support back by getting behind this cause.”

The event was also addressed by Limerick based Daniel Hennessy, Director for Mid-West for Arachas, Ireland’s largest nationwide insurance broker, with 18 offices across the country, including Limerick.

“Rory is an ambassador for Arachas and an incredible one at that. He was an inspiration on the field and clearly has brought that inspiration to a whole new level in what he has done in his retirement with this incredible initiative. Many people have to walk incredibly tough journeys in their lives and it’s hard to imagine anything more challenging than when a child is diagnosed with cancer. But at times like this, to have someone fighting on their behalf like Rory Best is here is incredible. We can only but be thankful to and be inspired by him.”

The next leg of Rory’s journey will see him travel through Clare and Galway before arriving in Co. Mayo on Thursday 25 th May.

Speaking on his challenge Rory said, “I’m delighted to finish day 6 of my Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo Challenge at the impressive International Rugby experience. I was in Limerick last month for the official opening and it’s great to be back here again today. I have undertaken this challenge to do my bit for children across the island of Ireland diagnosed with cancer and their families. A childhood cancer diagnosis can impact on the whole family.

“Hospital appointments, treatment and the pressures of navigating this experience can leave a family feeling disconnected and exhausted. Short breaks at Daisy Lodge provide children with cancer a space to rest, time with their families and build connections with others their own age going through the same things. They get to be treated like the stars they are. This challenge is being generously sponsored by The Ardonagh Group, Arachas Corporate Brokers and Kingsbridge Private Hospital and I want to give a special thanks to them for making this possible.”

Every week across Ireland, 10 children and young people (aged 0-24) are diagnosed with cancer. Cancer Fund for Children understands the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis and its treatment can have on the whole family, and that beyond the essential medical care, many families need social and emotional support. Funds raised through the Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo campaign will go towards the building of Daisy Lodge in Cong, Co. Mayo, a therapeutic short break centre for children impacted by cancer and their families. This will be Cancer Fund for Children’s second therapeutic centre, inspired by Daisy Lodge in Co. Down which has supported over 3,300 families from across the island of Ireland since it opened in 2014.

Find out more about Cancer Fund for Children here. You can also get behind Rory’s challenge and help him go the distance this May by visiting here.

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Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick