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4x4 Challenge For Charity
The 2009 4x4 Challenge for Charity on October 3rd and 4th was a fantastic success. The biggest field ever saw 32 teams entering and completing the event. They covered around 500kms across a wide variety of stunning terrain through the hidden corners of Westmeath, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan. They were supported by six teams of marshalls, with two media vehicles recording the event.
The 4x4 Challenge for Charity is sponsored by Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Slieve Russell Hotel and ACT Training. Individual teams worked extremely hard in this grim economic climate to attract the support of a host of their own sponsors, contributing almost €30,000 for Temple Street Children’s Hospital. This adds to the €100,000 raised in the event’s previous four years. Organisers hope that the grand total will pass the €30k mark, as additional donations are often pledged after the event – click the link above to donate and help us push up this year’s amount.
Overall winners were Ger and Laoise Dooner, with Colman Howard and Michael O’Donovan in second place. The sole G-Wagen team, Michael McGrath and Pamela McGrath, were the winners on Day 1, while the event’s first brother/sister team, Zara Archibald and Graeme Archibald, took the Day 1 second place. Winners of the Ordnance Survey Ireland Night Navigation Trophy were Angela McNulty and Liam Smyth, who amused their co-entrants by styling themselves as Team Crocodile Downpatrick. Angela is Special Events Manager at Temple Street and joined the event for the first time as Liam’s navigator. John McDevitt and Niall Hurley took second place on the night section, which was particularly challenging this year.
Team Pirate, Shane Foran and Denise Hannigan, were the Day 2 winners, with Liam O'Sullivan and Stephen Pratt following them in second place. The Spirit of the Event Award went to Mark Dunne and Brian Kenny, who were a tower of support to anyone in a tight spot, maintaining irrepressible banter and good humour throughout the event. The Highest Sponsorship Award – the Sophie Trophy – went to father and son team, David Feely and David Feely. A unique Five Year Commitment Award was made to David Feely Jnr, who is the sole entrant to have participated in every one of the 4x4 Challenge for Charity events since 2005.
The entry list for the 2010 4x4 challenge is already filling up and new entrants are welcome. Anyone wishing to become an event sponsor can contact the organisers through this website.
This treasure hunt style driving and navigational event has off road sections, around varied terrain, with hidden clues and set tasks to complete. Driver and navigator teams enter in any 4x4 vehicle capable of negotiating off-road terrains. Different levels of experience are welcome and marshalls provide full back up. The spirit of the event involves observing safety guidance and good environmental practice. Teams use Ordnance Survey Discovery Series maps and a road book devised by organisers, Robert Archibald and Jonathan Crozier of ACT Training.