17/08/2026
We made it to the top! ⛰️
On Saturday, we took on Croagh Patrick as part of our No Mountain High Enough challenge and I am both proud and honoured to say that we made it all the way to the summit !! Congratulations to all the climbers.
But this was never just about climbing a mountain.
It was about the people we were climbing for those we have lost, those who are facing cancer today, those who have come through it, and the families and friends who walk that journey alongside them.
I know that I certainly didn't make that journey to the top alone, and both myself and Jimmy want to say a very special thank you to everyone who took on the challenge with us.
Johnny Ward, Paula Smith, Brendan Chambers, Tommy Shaw, Gary Shovlin, Clare Shovlin, Ava Shovlin, Gerard Callaghan, Valerie Morrow, Clifford Morrow, Willie Mackey, Keith Baskin, Eileen Baskin, Tully Baskin, David Dobbyn, Roberta Dobbyn, together with our own family, Louise Bustard, , Elaine Henderson, Amy Henderson and Bobby Henderson
Thank you to each and every one of you for every step, every word of encouragement, every joke and all the laughter along the way. It was a privilege to share the experience with you.
There was one thing I had hoped to do when we reached the summit, but in everything that was happening on the day, I never got the opportunity.
I had written a short prayer that I wanted to share with everyone.
So perhaps it is fitting that I share it now, alongside this photograph of us together at the summit.
A Prayer After Our Climb
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for watching over us on our journey up Croagh Patrick and for bringing us safely back down the mountain and home again.
We give thanks for the strength that carried us when the climb became difficult, for the hands that helped us, the words that encouraged us, and for the friendship and fellowship we shared with each other along the way.
As we walked in the footsteps of Saint Patrick and the many generations who have climbed this mountain before us, we carried with us our own reasons for making the journey.
Today, we remember all those who were the reason for our climb.
Those we have lost and continue to carry in our hearts.
Those who are facing and living with cancer today.
Those who have come through their own difficult journey.
And the families, friends and communities who continue to walk alongside them.
May every step we took on Saturday honour them.
We give special thanks for Solace, Donegal Cancer Support Centre and for all those who provide care, comfort and support when it is needed most.
We also give thanks for St. Peter's Church of Ireland Killaghtee, where Fellowship and Friendship are at the heart of our church community, a place to come together, to look out for one another and, for many, to find comfort, hope and spiritual healing in difficult times.
Though Solace and St Peter's provide support in very different ways, they share something important people supporting people when life gets difficult.
We give thanks too for everyone who has supported our challenge so far, those who have donated, shared our story, encouraged us and helped make No Mountain High Enough possible.
Although our journey up the mountain is now over, may its purpose remain with us.
May we continue to look out for one another, to offer friendship when someone feels alone, hope when the road ahead feels difficult, and a helping hand when the mountain in front of someone feels too high to climb alone.
Amen.
❤️ We may have completed the climb, but our fundraising isn't finished yet.
If you have been following our journey and haven't yet had an opportunity to donate, there is still time to support No Mountain High Enough.
Every donation, whatever the amount, will help us raise more for Solace, Donegal Cancer Support Centre and St. Peter's Church of Ireland Killaghtee, and make every one of those difficult steps up Croagh Patrick even more worthwhile.
You can still donate here:
www.idonate.ie/event/nomountainhighenough
The mountain has been climbed. Now let's see how much further we can take the fundraising. ❤️
