Fuelled by a special breakfast event at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry-Londonderry this morning (12.09.26), Ulster and Ireland rugby legend Rory Best, and a team of 21 business leaders, set off on the beginning of the last in the series of Rory’s Miles to Mayo fundraising challenges in support of Cancer Fund for Children. The launch event was sponsored by Alchemy Technology Services.

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

Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy is the final part of a series of three physical fundraising challenges led by Rory Best for Cancer Fund for Children, which have raised over £2 million to date.

Rory’s Miles to Mayo is supported by headline sponsor Arachas Corporate Brokers, the Republic of Ireland’s largest insurance broker with 16 offices across the country, whose chief business officer and general counsel Julie Galbraith, from Buncrana, Co. Donegal, and head of corporate development David Jermyn are both participating in the walk.

Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group is the supporting sponsor, and its medical director Martin Shields, from Antrim, is also among the 21 business leaders undertaking the challenge. Six of his Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group colleagues are taking part as two relay teams of three.

The 235-mile, nine-day Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy challenge will see Rory return full circle to Cong, Co Mayo; the finish point of the walking challenge. Cong is the location of Cancer Fund for Children’s second Daisy Lodge therapeutic short break centre for children and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis, currently nearing completion and due to open in 2027.

The fundraising target for Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy is around £1.2 million, which will go towards Cancer Fund for Children’s services, provided at home, in hospital and at the charity’s therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge.

In 2021, Rory completed his first Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge, walking 180 miles from Cancer Fund for Children’s original Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down to break ground at the then-empty site for the second Daisy Lodge in Cong, raising more than £1 million. A second Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge in 2023 saw Rory walk from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium back to the Daisy Lodge, Cong site, raising another £1 million.

Day one of the Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy route today (12.09.26) will see the participants walk from Derry-Londonderry to Limavady, while day two’s route tomorrow (13.09.26) will take them from Bangor to Belfast. The walk will then continue through counties Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, Limerick and Galway before finishing on Sunday, 20th September in Cong, Co Mayo.

Gavin and five-year-old Aria Stevenson from Derry-Londonderry, who have been supported by Cancer Fund for Children’s services, were among the supporters at this morning’s special event to wave Rory and his team off as they took their first steps on the latest walking challenge. Guest walker, Donegal senior county footballer Michael Murphy joined them for the first few miles.

On day two tomorrow (13.09.26), the walk will take the participants through the grounds of Stormont, where they will be joined by the Rooney family from Belfast who have been supported by Cancer Fund for Children, alongside Ireland and Ulster rugby player Jacob Stockdale. To close off the Northern Ireland phase of the challenge tomorrow (13.09.26), Cancer Fund for Children-supported family the Fletchers will join the walking group on the final kilometre towards the Affidea (Ravenhill) Stadium, Belfast.

Speaking at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry-Londonderry this morning (12.09.26), Rory Best, said: “It’s an honour to lead this series of physical fundraising challenges in support of the amazing work of Cancer Fund for Children and I’m excited to be setting off on the third and final challenge, with an incredible team of business leaders and surrounded by a passionate crew of supporters.

“Though it will be a strenuous undertaking, the motivation of supporting a charity doing such vital work for families and children facing the heartbreaking realities of a cancer diagnosis will no doubt drive us towards the finish line in Cong, Co. Mayo over the coming nine days. It will be emotional and very rewarding to see how work is nearing completion on the second Daisy Lodge to help more children and families who are going through very tough times.”

CEO of Cancer Fund for Children Phil Alexander said: “Across the last five years, Rory Best has created a legacy of fundraising which has completely blown us away. From taking on his own Miles to Mayo challenges, to inspiring countless other campaigns, including the 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge last year which raised £1.5m in aid of our services. The funds raised through these efforts have allowed us to provide vital support to children, young people and families impacted by cancer across the island of Ireland, in hospital, at home and at our therapeutic short break centre Daisy Lodge.

“As Cancer Fund for Children continues to expand, our investment in Daisy Lodge Cong demonstrates the growing need for our services as well as our commitment to supporting children and families affected by the extremely harsh realities of a cancer diagnosis across the island.”

Founder of Alchemy Technology Services, John Harkin said: “Alchemy Technology Services is proud to sponsor this morning’s event at the Ebrington Hotel to give Rory Best and the participants a worthy send-off as they set out on their inspirational expedition. Giving back is at the heart of what we do and continues the mission we were founded on: to drive positive change in the community, to ensure our impact extends beyond business.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to bring today’s event together for a charity that delivers vital support to children, young people and families impacted by the devastating realities of a cancer diagnosis. We wish everyone involved the very best of luck and a safe onward journey.”

Chief business officer and general counsel with headline sponsor Arachas Corporate Brokers, Julie Galbraith, who is among the 21 business leaders undertaking Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy, said: “Supporting this challenge as headline sponsor was an easy decision ─ taking on 235 miles myself is the part that’s going to test me! I’m incredibly proud that Arachas is backing such an ambitious fundraising effort, and even prouder to be part of it personally. It’s going to be challenging, but every mile will be worth it knowing we’re helping raise much-needed funds for Cancer Fund for Children and helping get Daisy Lodge, Cong ready for opening next year.”

Cancer Fund for Children Family Story

Nicola McDermott lives in Lisburn with her husband James and their two children, Sophia (2) and Jayden (5). At just 17 months old, on the 18th June 2025, Sophia was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and life turned upside down for her and her whole family. Throughout their treatment, they were connected with Cancer Fund for Children who the family say have helped them so much. The family were able to enjoy two therapeutic short breaks at the charity’s purpose-built facility, Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co Down, which allowed them to rest and reconnect during an exhausting experience. As Sophia was at high risk of infection, the family were wary of socialising. However, Cancer Fund for Children organised family events which the McDermotts could enjoy in peace and comfort, knowing they were in a controlled environment with people who understood.

This September, the McDermott family are calling on the public to support Rory Best on his Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy challenge, so that Cancer Fund for Children can support more families like theirs.

Find out more about this charity challenge and how you can get behind Rory Best and the participants by visiting https://rorysmiles2mayo.cancerfundforchildren.com/.

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