An IT professional from County Meath is tackling Ireland’s tallest mountains in a remarkable fundraising effort to help dogs in need. Dann Cooney, 34, is on his fourth major campaign, aiming to climb 100 peaks in just 10 days while raising awareness and funds for animal shelters.
Cooney, who has set a personal goal of raising €100,000 before he turns 40, told Cork Beo that he is currently navigating the peaks along the Cork and Kerry border.
He admitted it can be difficult to tell exactly where he is, joking that he struggles to distinguish between the local accents.
Each mountain climb has a special purpose. Cooney dedicates each summit to a different dog, sharing the animal’s story, a photograph, and a link to its shelter’s social media page. “Each peak has a purpose,” he explained, highlighting the meaningful connection between his physical challenge and the animals he seeks to help.
This week marks day six of the final leg of his challenge. Cooney hopes to complete the remaining 100 mountains in just 10 days, demonstrating both endurance and commitment to the cause. His rigorous schedule includes summiting multiple peaks each day across Cork and Kerry.
Supporting him on this demanding journey is his girlfriend, Sophie, who has joined the expedition to help manage logistics and provide encouragement along the trail. The duo is documenting the climbs to share progress and stories of the dogs benefiting from their campaign.
Cooney’s efforts reflect a growing trend of adventure-based fundraising, combining physical challenges with charitable initiatives. By highlighting individual animals and their shelters, he aims not only to raise money but also to inspire others to support local dog charities.
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