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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Damien Edgar

Co Armagh man on mammoth mountain challenge over 24 hours

A Lurgan man is attempting to climb seven mountains across nine counties in 24 hours in a bid to raise funds for Dementia NI.

Michael McLoughlin will be joined in the challenge by six other men.

He said they were all keen on fitness in some form or other and were looking forward to the monumental challenge.

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"It's seven mountains over nine counties and we're going to try and do it within 24 hours, there's seven of us onboard for it and we're doing it for Dementia NI," he said.

"There's different fitness levels about us, there's runners, boxers, MMA fighters, just everyone in the group is generally fit so that's how we've come together.

"We're going to attempt it on Saturday July 29."

The mountains they are aiming to scale are as follows:

  • Mt Errigal, Co Donegal, start at 3am
  • Mt Saul, Co Tyrone/Derry (drive an hour and a half from Donegal)
  • Mt Trosten Co Antrim (drive an hour and ahalf from previous)
  • Slieve Donard (an hour and 15 minute drive)
  • Slieve Gullion Co Armagh (drive 45 minutes)
  • Slieve Beagh Co Monaghan (drive for an hour)
  • Cuilcagh Co Fermanagh/Cavan (drive for an hour and 15 minutes)

Michael said the charity they were raising funds for was one that the majority of the group felt a connection to.

"My granny is in a wee home at the minute with dementia, she's been in there about six years at a wee home inn Dunmurry," he said.

"One of the other guys ahs a relative suffering with it and there's a few other guys where dementia is pretty close to their heart.

"It's one that everybody sort of agreed on and it's close to home for everyone."

He said that even with the group's collective level of fitness, there were still some nerves about taking the challenge on.

"It'll be challenging enough, there's no doubt," he said.

"I done the Seven Sevens last July in The Mournes with a friend and that took us just over nine hours and it was challenging enough and there was no driving involved there.

"This one, we'll be going up, coming down, refuelling with food and water and that but you're also cooling down which makes it hard to get back out again.

"All the guys have a good background with training and I think it's going to be tough, but doable."

The group are fundraising for the challenge and their page can be found here.

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