Callum’s exciting Europe challenge and Pieta fundraiser

A YOUNG Clondalkin man is organising an exciting fundraising challenge across Europe for Pieta, the mental health charity, in September.

Callum Ó Cuiv, Greenpark Clondalkin, is organising the challenge which involves six ‘racers’ travelling, mainly by bus and train, between ‘check-points’ across various European countries. However the participants will not have access to their mobile phones or their own money when they are completing this challenge.

Participants will receive points for getting to a checkpoint first or for completing various tasks which they can then exchange for money. The six participants will be divided up into three teams of two and each team will have a camera operator. The camera operator will have access to money and resources at all times.

Each day there will be a cut-off time where the participants must be at a particular bus or train, for example, so that they are all in the same location by the end of the day.

Callum also has two backup racers in case some of the six cannot take part. However, he is looking for three camera operators, but has some people who can step in if required.

The racers are a diverse group including an Italian, a Bulgarian, a person from Britain and a Hungarian. “Two of the racers are from Clondalkin, Catherine Skikum and Eoin Carey,” Callum said.

Callum has the route for the challenge already laid out. “I travelled it in January to ensure the accommodation is ok, that the route is doable and that the restaurants are ok,” he said.

He is holding on to the details of the route and the countries that the racers will travel across. “I want to keep that element of mystery, fun and surprise,” he said.

The group are flying out on September 2 and will be returning on September 9.

Money raised will cover the cost of putting on the Eurorace challenge and any additional funds raised will go to Pieta.

Callum is estimating that it will cost €8,000 to put on the Eurorace and is hoping to fundraise €10,000, so as to give Pieta a big enough donation.

Callum has been working part-time in Centra, Greenpark since 2020 and has been using his own personal money to cover the expense of putting on this challenge so far.

He will be holding a ‘roast and bingo’ night in Áras Chrónáin on May 31 at 8 pm and he will also be organising a hike in August which he will be promoting soon.

Callum thinks Pieta are a brilliant charity. “They support people during difficult times. I just love helping people, trying to support them.

Also I’ve gained so much experience from this and I’m also providing an opportunity for the racers and the camera operators,” he said.

Those who wish to donate to Callum’s fundraiser can visit HERE.