Our record-breaking Brave the Drop Challenge

Last July Mayo Cancer Support Association, in conjunction with Mayo GAA, launched a new flagship fundraising event called the Brave the Drop Croke Park Abseil Challenge.

This novel event challenged up to 100 people to undertake a sponsored 150ft abseil from the roof of Croke Park, with the proceeds in aid of Mayo Cancer Support Association.

Our charity is dependent on fundraising to cover up to 50% of our annual operating costs (approx Euro 230,000) but meeting that target as become increasingly difficult in recent years. Our team and Board of Directors sought to try something a little more innovative in 2025 and as a result, the Brave the Drop Challenge was launched.

When Mayo GAA selected us as their charity partner for 2025 we invited them to get involved in the event and their support was crucial to the success of Brave the Drop.

Thanks to their support we ultimately had 100 people sign up to do the abseil - more than 50% of them from GAA Clubs all over the country -and they, their supporters and their clubs helped us to make fundraising history by breaking all previous records for fundraising abseil events in our national stadium, with over Euro 320,000 raised to date .

Some cash donations are still being received and so it may be a week or two yet before we have a final tally on this remarkable event.

But Brave the Drop has not only helped raise vital funds to support the delivery of our services. It has also helped to raise the profile of Mayo Cancer Support Association and spread awareness of the positive impact our services have for cancer patients and their loved ones.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part in or supported this event in any way.

Work is already underway to ensure that the funds raised from the Brave the Drop Croke Park Abseil Challenge are put to the most effective use possible and we look forward to updating you on our plans as we roll them out.