Getting behind the wheel in 4X4 Challenge for Charity

FATHER AND SON TEAM UP FOR TEMPLE STREET

4X4's are not everyone's cup of tea, but father and son duo, David Snr and David Jnr Feely, both share a passion for off-road adventures and are teaming up this year for sixth time to take on the 4X4 Challenge for Charity to raise much-needed funds for Temple Street Children's University Hospital.

David Snr will get behind the wheel of his white Series III Land Rover called Mad Max with his son, David Jnr, providing navigational support for the 48-hour challenge held over the weekend of 1st and 2nd October in aid of Temple Street.

"I've always had a real love of the outdoors and off-road driving, but what really attracted me to do the 4X4 Challenge for Charity was the emphasis placed on respecting the environment," says David Jnr, the only participant who has participated every year since the event began in 2005. David has teamed up with his father each year since 2006.

"The challenge isn't a race - rather, a test of navigational and driving skill. Driver and navigator need to work together and be on the lookout for observational challenges set by the organisers, who can be fairly devious!" says David Jnr.
This is the seventh year of the event, which has raised over €150,000 for Temple Street since it began in 2005. Teams work from Ordinance Survey Discovery Series maps and a road book, which is devised by the event organisers, ACT Training. The challenge is to navigate their way around up to 800kms of countryside, finding hidden clues and completing the set of tasks in a ‘treasure hunt' style event. "The only ‘treasure' is what we can raise for Temple Street," adds David Jnr.

The Feelys are the team to beat it seems in the fundraising stakes, winning the Sophie Trophy for the most funds raised in 2009, and in 2010 they provided huge support to top fundraisers Keith O'Farrell and James Moran also from Co Longford. And despite the increased difficulties fundraising in the current climate, the Feelys wouldn't miss this challenge for anything - not even a milestone anniversary!

"Last year the Challenge fell on the weekend of a major family event. Neither David Jnr or myself wanted to miss the Challenge, so after some successful negotiations with the family, it was agreed to postpone the celebrations until after the Challenge. My wife and family know how important the Challenge is to us so there was no problem. In the end, event organisers ACT Training arranged for my wife to meet up with us at the finish line on the Sunday night to celebrate another successful 4X4 Challenge for Temple Street and our 30th wedding anniversary with the rest of the competitors", says David Snr, who is also a member of the local Gardai in Granard.
"When it comes to fundraising, we pull out all the stops. Obviously we rope in all our family and friends, but we also approach businesses to buy advertising space on Mad Max for a specified period. It's a novel way to attract donations and provides the business with some exposure too.

"But Mad Max is a big vehicle and there is plenty more advertising space available. Local businesses are our biggest supporters and once again our biggest sponsor, PAT THE BAKER from Granard, has agreed again to come on board this year", says David Snr.
"There are no competitors taking part in the 4X4 Challenge, just participants. At the end of the day, we're all there to help raise money for Temple Street and enjoy our passion for off-roading. For some of us, it's like a family reunion where we meet up, play in the mud for two days & enjoy a meal together", adds David Snr.

There are still places available to get involved and register for the Challenge via the website at www.4x4challenge.org or by calling 087 634 2434. And, if off-roading isn't your thing, you can show your support by sponsoring a team via the website.
"The Feely's are just one example of how people of all walks of life get involved to help raise funds for Temple Street. The crew at ACT Training have been organising the 4X4 Challenge for Charity for seven years and it's a really professionally run event and the funds raised so far have gone to vital projects such as our Neurosurgery Appeal", says Angela McNulty, Special Events Manager for Temple Street Children's University Hospital.

Temple Street Children's University Hospital provides pediatric care to children from all over Ireland The national Hospital was established in 1872 and each year over 130,000 sick children are cared for in Temple Street. The Accident and Emergency Department attends to almost 50,000 children every year - making it one of the busiest A&Es in Europe!

ENDS

Notes for Editors:
4X4 Challenge for Charity 2011 in organised by ACT Training in conjunction with the Fundraising Office at Temple Street Children's University Hospital. It aims to help sick children by making their stay in hospital less distressing for them and their families, by funding the purchase of vital, lifesaving equipment, developing new services and treatment facilities and funding new research.
ACT Training runs courses in the safe operation of vehicles for staff using 4X4s or quads in the forestry, leisure, construction and agricultural industries.

Contact:
Mo Durkan
Temple Street Children's University Hospital
Phone: 8781792
Mobile: 087 990 8413
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Jonathan Crozier or Robert Archibald
4X4 Challenge for Charity
Phone: JC 090 64 66480
Mobile: JC 087 634 2434 or RA 087 293 1084
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