Take on the ‘28-Day Steps Challenge’ in aid of The Mercy Cancer Appeal

Whether you have a New Year’s resolution to get more active or simply want to pass the time over the coming weeks of restrictions, The Mercy Hospital Foundation has launched the perfect challenge to help you do both and to support cancer services at the Mercy University Hospital at the same time.

The aim of the ‘28-Day Steps Challenge’ is to clock up 300,000 steps over the month of February – roughly 10,700 steps each day of the month. Like all fundraising events during the Covid-19 pandemic, this challenge is virtual, meaning it can safely be done in your own time, at your own pace and funds can be raised online by creating a Facebook fundraiser.

To help people stay connected while staying apart, everyone taking part will also be added to a special Facebook group to connect with the more than 800 others also taking on the challenge. One of those who has already signed up is Yvonne Al Kaabi. “I am looking forward to taking on the challenge in February and raising funds for The Mercy Cancer Appeal. Being a part of the Facebook group is a great help and means we can all support one another through the challenge. I have already picked up so many tips from people in the group who have done challenges like this before. It is the perfect way to do something different and to also stay connected with people at the moment. The Mercy is like a second home to my family and being able to raise as much funds as possible for the Mercy Hospital is so important to me.”

To sign up and be a part of this huge group effort to raise funds for The Mercy Cancer Appeal, visit www.mercyfundraising.ie and follow the steps to join the group and set up your own Facebook fundraiser. Upon signing up, participants will receive a special ‘28-Day Steps Challenge’ t-shirt and poster to help keep track of their steps.  

All funds raised will go towards The Mercy Cancer Appeal to enhance cancer services at the Mercy University Hospital. Speaking about the difference that these funds will make, Interim CEO at The Mercy Hospital Foundation, Julie Harris, said “Funds raised through this challenge will support cancer services at The Mercy that help patients through every step of their cancer journey. We are especially raising funds for the Mercy Cancer CARE Centre. This centre will provide a safe space for patients and their families to receive support and avail of services such as our Psycho-Oncology service. This service helps patients to cope with the strain that their diagnosis can take on their emotional and mental health. We are very excited about this new challenge and it is great to see the support amongst those who have already signed up. The Facebook group for this challenge is helping to keep everyone connected while we stay apart due to current Covid-19 restrictions. We are encouraging anyone who is looking for a new challenge to sign up and be a part of a special group effort to support cancer patients at the Mercy University Hospital.”  

For more information on the ’28-Day Steps Challenge’ or to register to take part, visit www.mercyfundraising.ie or email caitriona@mercyfundraising.ie