On Friday 23rd January 2015 Patrick McBrearty was interviewed about the Bluestack Challenge 2015 on Ocean FM. Patrick gave a very clear account of why the funds raised by participants in the Challenge are so important to the work of Special Needs organisations all over County Donegal. The response to the interview has been very positive and we expect a surge of applications to take part in the challenge.

Everyone who signs up and pays the entrance fee will receive an email confirming their payment. In this email there is a link to set up a fundraising page. When this link is activated the walkers name will appear on the Sponsor a Walker page. This makes it easy for friends and relatives abroad and at home to sponsor a walker online. Walkers can use email, social media etc. to garner sponsorship for this worthy cause. If you have signed up and still haven’t activated the link please do so today!

We have made it easier to register to walk in the Bluestack Challenge 2015 by having the much shorter and more memorable blu.ie as the webpage to get to our website.

So anyone who wants to start a fitness regime after Christmas can use the Bluestack Challenge as their motivation to get fit, loose weight, or just become more healthy as part of their New Years Resolution!

Why not get together with some friends and use of the the many links on this website to register for a real challenge?

The Sponsor a Walker link will enable online sponsorship via a link to iDonate.ie.

Walkers can alert friends and relatives that they are taking part in this sponsored hill-walking fundraising event and that online sponsorship is available.

Anyone sponsoring a walker will be given choices regarding monetary amounts to donate.

The cost for one child to avail of a Speech and Language therapy course is €500. That is €50 per hour and a 10 week course of one hour per week. Think of it this way:If you raise €500 you are helping to give the gift of speech to just one person.

The cost of one child at the Saturday club is €30. This is well attended and every €300 raised will help create a small group, giving the gift of belonging, learning and having fun.

The Cost of one day summer camp is €55 per child, so €550 raised will give the gift of new experiences to 10 children in a safe environment.

To provide a computer media course is €125 per child per hour. Each €125 raised will grant the gift of learning a valuable skill to communicate with. €375 would assist 3 such participants in this course.

Respite care is €40 per hour. To give someone a much needed 20 hour break from the 24-7 job of the care of a child with a learning or other disability requires €800.

Art therapy is €30 per hour per child. The Gift of providing a media to communicate and relax

Drama Therapy is €40 per hour per child. Each €40 raised gives the gift of confidence in both social skills and speech.

The funding raised by participants in the Bluestack Challenge, the gift of communication, of confidence building, of giving a hand, and saying how much we care for the people in our community. By enjoying a great day out, walking the hills in South West Donegal, and raising much needed funds you can make an amazing difference in the lives of People with Special Needs in County Donegal.

The first committee meeting took place in early October 2014.

Positions were filled on the committee such as chairperson, treasurer, PRO and other important roles.

So the ball has started rolling for another Challenge.

Besides the election of officers to organise the event, the agenda included such items as, the route of the 2015 Challenge, the suitability of the date (now definitely Saturday June 13th) availability of the backup teams i.e. guides in the form of the Bluestack Ramblers, drivers, caterers, army, mountain rescue, Photographers and Video personnel.

A lot of ground was covered without walking a step!