Communities united in climbing hills for Hugh

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This weekend will see a group of enthusiastic cyclists set out from Craughwell to Gweedore – tracing in reverse a journey made by a man who meant so much to both communities.

Because the Galway group are honouring the memory of their friend, Donegal native Hugh McFadden, who had such a huge impact on his adopted community in Craughwell before his untimely death from cancer.

Which is why the Craughwell cyclists are pedalling from Craughwell, Galway to Hugh’s home parish of Gweedore, Donegal – a distance of nearly 300km – in aid of Galway Hospice.

This weekend holds deep significance, because it also marks Hugh’s wedding anniversary and the birthdays of his beloved wife and eldest daughter – a time always close to his heart.

The fundraising committee along with the cyclists, local clubs, schools and Hugh’s colleagues in Medtronic have been busy getting donations through iDonate, sponsorship cards, table quiz, non-uniform days, bake sales and more – and the support has been out of this world.

On top of that, Hugh’s family and friends in Donegal have been busy fundraising for the Galway Hospice and will be handing over the donations at the finish line in Donegal.

And to wrap up the fundraiser, the annual Craughwell Fun Roast will take place in Cheevers Bar – this time hosted for #Hills4Hugh in aid of The Galway Hospice.

You can contribute to this worthy cause by going to https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/Galway2Donegal.

Caption: Edel McFadden with two of her daughters Anna and Aileen, pictured with the participants in this weekend’s Hills4Hugh (back – from left) Karen Cummins, Mary Quigley, Ursula Whiriskey, Annemarie Flanagan, Eimear O’Connor, Micheal Balyon, Aoileann O’Connor, Amy Mulryan, Orla O’Gara, with (front) Petrina Whirksey, Elaine Ward, Anna, Edel and Aileen McFadden, and Orla O’Shea.

Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.

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