Setting out on a 240km kayaking challenge this week are (from left) Pete Brewitt, Ger Harrington and James Lynch.

Trio kayak the Shannon for Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association

Three men are this week kayaking from Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh all the way down to Killaloe to raise money for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association.

James Lynch, who is originally from the Killaloe area and now living in Galway, will be joined on the challenge by Limerick man Garda Ger Harrington, who lives in Killaloe, and Peter Brewitt, originally from Cork and currently living in Co Clare.

Starting this Wednesday, the trio will over the course of five days paddle from Lough Erne in Fermanagh, across the Shannon-Erne Waterway and into the Shannon, and down to Killaloe, a total distance of over 240km and visiting parts of all four provinces along the way. The trip is in memory of Ger's mother, who lost her battle with MND a couple of years ago.

James, who works for TG4, became the first person to swim the length of Lough Derg, Ireland's longest lake, in 2014. He said the idea for this kayak challenge also came from his swim, during which Ger and and Pete provided support on the day and during his training.

For those who find themselves afflicted by MND, and for their families, the IMNDA will become a rock of support during the course of their illness, and even afterwards. Like all voluntary organisations in the country, the IMNDA is grossly underfunded and relies largely on public donation and fundraising efforts.

The lads have established an event page on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kayak4mnd/ - where they post regular updates on training and will continue once they commence their journey. A link can be found on that page to their fundraising site, https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/kayak4mnd.

The trio expects to reach Killaloe early this Sunday, June 19th. Along the route they will camp overnight by the shore and will be carrying all their equipment (tents, sleeping bags, spare clothes, cooking equipment, etc) onboard the kayaks. Each day they plan to cover between 50km and 60km of the waterway. 

As they approach Killaloe, for the last 5km they will be joined by Ger's 12 year old son, Ethan Harrington, who will paddle his own kayak into Killaloe in memory of his grandmother. 

“Thus far we have received great support from many kayaking and outdoor activity shops in terms of kit and gear that is necessary for the journey,” said James.

“We are hoping that the public will get behind the cause and support us as we travel through all four provinces on our way from Lough Erne to Killaloe at the bottom of Lough Derg.”