Dan's ‘One Year, No Beer' raises €3,200 for LARCC

Dan Riggs did a ‘One Year no Beer' campaign to raise funds for LARCC, and his story is below. Dan made a huge effort and raised €3,219.50.

Dan writes: “I suppose it started after waking up one morning after another hectic bank holiday and my head was pounding and I think it's safe to say I got a blast of realisation.

As I lay on the sofa across from my mother and grandmother, I got up and said to myself, ‘I am going to do this one year no beer challenge'.

“A little giggle from my mother was enough to say ‘yeah right', where on the other hand my nan was a lot more sympathetic. (A nanny's boy I've been told on many occasions).

“I had been talking to a local girl, Louise Flynn, who was almost halfway through the challenge, a few weeks previously, but I was contemplating for weeks about doing it until the morning of August 1, when I picked up the phone and if my memory serves me right, I was chatting to Bernie [McHugh of LARCC] about it to explain what I wanted to do and how I planned on raising money for the charity. “I had personal goals, all thankfully reached now, from savings to getting myself my full licence and to a new car, and also have been back studying this year.

“I have no close relatives or friends with cancer but I see it every day and everywhere I look. I have seen families destroyed by this disease and often think to myself, ‘surely this is preventable, surely there's a way it can be supported'.

“I had heard about LARCC through different events but hadn't looked into it in detail until that moment. It's tough what LARCC staff and volunteers deal with day in and day out – I tip my hat off to every one of them.

“I cannot speak highly enough of LARCC and the team, and will be sure to be involved in many fundraising events down the line.

“I am very happy to say I have raised €3,219 on this occasion through sponsorship of my good friends and family. From a bake sale where I work, in Trend – thanks to Maria Melligan for organising that and all my work mates – to John Shaw for organising a 5k run on Stephen's Day for both mine and Louise's chosen charities.

“Thanks also to my club mates in both Raharney hurling and Killucan football clubs and everyone who has donated and helped in any way. I have very generous friends and family.

“It's a challenge I can proudly say I have completed and it's something I will look back on fondly for the rest of my life.

“Keep doing the amazing work you do, Kind regards, Dan Riggs.”

For information on the full range of free counselling and support services available for anyone affected by cancer, contact Cancer Support Sanctuary LARCC in Multyfarnham on 044 9371971.