From 12th – 20th September, Rory Best will captain a team of business leaders on a powerful journey – to walk 9 marathons in 9 days, covering over 235 miles throughout Ireland. Each participant will walk around 50,000 steps daily across Derry/Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin, Kildare, Carlow, Cork, Limerick, Galway before finishing in Cong, Co. Mayo.
This is the third chapter in a trilogy of fundraising walks created by the former Ireland and Ulster Rugby Captain for Cancer Fund for Children, a charity that provides emotional, social and therapeutic support to children, young people and families impacted by cancer. It will also be the third time Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group get behind Rory’s efforts, through sponsoring the campaign and electing staff to join Rory on his journey.
Speaking on their involvement, Mark Regan, CEO of Kingsbridge Private Hospital Group, said:
“We are delighted to once again support Cancer Fund for Children’s Rory’s Miles to Mayo charity challenge, and we have been honoured to take part since the very first trek five years ago. It is always incredibly humbling to walk alongside Rory and to meet some of the children, young people, and families who will benefit from the funds raised, as well as the charity’s dedicated staff and the many individuals who take on the challenge to support the cause. This year, I’m especially pleased to be joining my colleague, Dr Martin Shields, to walk with Rory at several stages and offer some encouragement as he completes all nine marathon walks.
“The Kingsbridge Foundation is once again providing physio support for participants who need it during the challenge, and we are thrilled to be part of The Trilogy team. Our involvement reflects not only our commitment to excellence in healthcare, but also our determination to help strengthen the passion and drive that will, we hope, make Rory’s dream a reality over the next 12 months.”
Speaking about this challenge, Rory said:
“Every Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge has been incredibly special and humbling, inspired by Cancer Fund for Children’s ambition to build a second therapeutic short break centre called Daisy Lodge, on the shores of Lough Corrib in Cong, Co. Mayo. Across the last 5 years I have seen this vision come to life, and this year’s challenge carries even more weight as Daisy Lodge is currently being built and is set to open in Spring 2027.
“I can’t wait to finish my walk there once again and feel privileged to have the incredible support of Kingsbridge team behind me.”
In 2021, Rory completed his first Rory’s Miles to Mayo challenge, walking 180 miles from Cancer Fund for Children’s first Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down to the site of their second centre in Cong, Co. Mayo, raising over €1 million. The second Rory’s Miles 2 Mayo challenge in 2023, saw Rory walking 220 miles from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Cong, raising €1.5million, breaking ground on the new Daisy Lodge on arrival.
In 2025, Rory’s mantle was taken up by a team of business leaders who took on the 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge, climbing the highest peak in every county across the island of Ireland. Together they raised over £1.5 million.
This year, both campaigns will come together for Rory’s Miles to Mayo – The Trilogy.
Each participant has made a commitment to raise a minimum of £/€50,000 to go towards Cancer Fund for Children’s vital services. Find out more about this incredible challenge and how you can get behind Rory Best by visiting https://rorysmiles2mayo.cancerfundforchildren.com/.