IN PICTURES: Rory Best’s 'Miles to Mayo' Trilogy helps raise over £4 million

Ulster and Ireland rugby legend Rory Best and a team of 21 business leaders successfully completed the 235-mile, nine-day Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy walking challenge across the island of Ireland ─ bringing the combined total raised by Rory Best’s three Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo fundraisers for Cancer Fund for Children to over £4 million.

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 is supported by headline sponsor Arachas Corporate Brokers, the Republic of Ireland’s largest nationwide insurance broker with 16 offices across the country, which has raised funds for Cancer Fund for Children across all of the Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenges since 2021. Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group is on board as a supporting sponsor and has also been committed to this challenge since its inception.

Rory and his team of walkers reached their final destination, Cancer Fund for Children’s second Daisy Lodge therapeutic short break centre in Cong, Co Mayo, for children and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis, late yesterday (20.09.26) afternoon. The walk started from Derry-Londonderry to Limavady on Saturday, 12th September and travelled from Bangor to Belfast on Sunday, 13th September. Daisy Lodge, Cong is currently nearing completion and is due to open in 2027.

The 21 participants were set a target to raise £50,000 each which they all successfully achieved, helping Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy raise around £1.45 million when combined with other donations.

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. Combined, the three challenges will have raised over £4 million to help Cancer Fund for Children provide and expand its support services for children and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

The funds raised by Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy will go towards equipping Daisy Lodge, Cong, and help get it ready for opening its doors next year to enable Cancer Fund for Children to support more children and families.

At the nearly completed Daisy Lodge in Cong, representatives from Cancer Fund for Children and the headline sponsor of Rory’s Miles to Mayo Arachas Corporate Brokers unveiled a commemorative plaque to Rory Best that will be displayed on the grounds of Daisy Lodge in Cong in recognition of the rugby legend’s contribution to its development.

Speaking at Daisy Lodge, Cong yesterday (20.09.26), Rory Best, said: “Three years ago, we turned the first sod at the site of the Daisy Lodge centre in Cong at the end of our first Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge, so to come full circle and finish the final stage of the trilogy at the nearly completed centre, was incredibly special.

“Short breaks at Daisy Lodge provide children with cancer a space to rest, time with their families and the opportunity to build connections with others their own age who are going through the same thing. Here they get to be treated like the stars they are.

“I’m absolutely blown away by the support of the extremely generous people who participated in the walk and those who supported our fundraising goals. Though the walk was one of the hardest physical challenges I’ve ever undertaken, knowing the funds raised will go towards helping Cancer Fund for Children run its vital Daisy Lodge centre for children and families going through inconceivably tough times made every step completely worth it.

“Though Rory’s Miles to Mayo ─ the Trilogy has ended, fundraising efforts do not and I encourage anyone to consider donating to the fundraiser to make sure no child faces cancer alone.”

CEO of Cancer Fund for Children Phil Alexander said: “We’re thrilled to announce that Rory Best’s three-part fundraising challenge has raised a total of over £4 million and we are in complete awe of the unwavering support we’ve received from every corner of the island of Ireland along the way.

“We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Rory Best for his leadership throughout the challenges and to all the inspiring participants who joined him along the way. Your commitment to supporting children and families affected by the devasting impact of cancer is admirable and your dedication and support are hugely appreciated.”

CEO of Arachas Corporate Brokers Joey Wynne said: “It has been an honour for Arachas to support the Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenges from the beginning and we’re incredibly proud to support Cancer Fund for Children in raising vital funds for children and families affected by cancer.

“A huge congratulations to Rory and all the participants who took part in the challenge, including our own Arachas colleagues who joined along the way – it was no easy feat, and their commitment and determination have been truly inspiring.”