'Amazing person' - Mayo man to be remembered this week
The primary school teacher tragically lost his life in a road accident last August.
Family, friends, and GAA teammates of the late James McNeive, from Knock, Co. Mayo, a much-loved member of the communities he touched, are preparing to honour his memory, from today June 24th until 28th through the Summit for James – 5 Peak Challenge less than a year after the 28-year-old’s tragic death.
A core group of 30 dedicated climbers, including James’s family and former teammates from the local Aghamore GAA club where James played, will take on all five peaks across the UK and Ireland. Over 400 people are expected to support the final climb on Croagh Patrick in James’s home county, including architect and TV personality Dermot Bannon.
Remembering James, cherished by his pupils, their parents and colleagues in the schools where he taught, Dermot Bannon said, “James was an amazing person and was special to our family, as he was my son’s teacher.”
The primary school teacher tragically lost his life in a road accident last August. The Summit for James - 5 Peak Challenge will raise funds for several worthy causes which were close to James’s heart including the Irish Kidney Association, the charity chosen as his younger brother, Matthew, age 27, has spent his entire twenties on dialysis while waiting for a second kidney transplant.
In an extraordinary show of determination and resilience, Matthew plans to take on three of the five mountain peaks as part of this 5-day event. For two of the days, Matthew will have to attend dialysis treatment at Beaumont Hospital, yet he remains committed to pushing forward with three of the climbs.
Anyone can join the challenge, whether they wish to climb, donate, or spread awareness. The event is self-funded, meaning participants cover their own costs. This ensures that 100% of funds raised will go directly to charity. While honouring James’s memory, the goal is to raise in excess of €50,000 through the online fundraising platform, https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/James5PeakChallenge
Participants will scale the highest peaks in Ireland and the UK over five consecutive days, beginning at Ben Nevis in Scotland on what would have been James’s 29th birthday on Tuesday, 24th June and finishing on Saturday, 28th June with a climb up Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo. A core group of 30 climbers will be undertaking all five peaks, including James’s mother Bernadette and his aunt Noreen along with other dedicated climbers including a large group from Aghamore GAA where James played, his brother Michael and his six cousins Ross Egan, Enda and Declan Sweeney, John and Grainne McNeive and Gary Fahy. Their commitment is a heartfelt tribute to James’s memory.
Close to 80 participants will take part in the Carrauntoohil climb, including James’s sister Fiona and his girlfriend Catherine Carr (from Letterkenny). 400 people are expected to support the Croagh Patrick climb with Parish Priest Fr. Richard Gibbons giving a blessing at summit.
The challenge will begin on 24th June with Ben Nevis, in Scotland (1,345 metres), followed by Scafell Pike in northern England (978 metres), then to Snowdon in Wales (1,085 metres). On the fourth day, the Challenge will continue back home to Ireland, for the country’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil, Co Kerry (1,038 meters).
The challenge will culminate with a final ascent of Croagh Patrick in Co. Mayo. Although not as high as the other peaks, after four consecutive days of climbing, it will pose its own challenge, and serves as a fitting, symbolic end to the journey in James’s beloved home county.
The Summit for James - 5 Peak Challenge will raise funds for several charities, including Make-A-Wish Ireland, Daisy Lodge, Mayo Mindspace, Irish Heart Foundation, the Irish Kidney Association, and numerous local schools and sports clubs where James made his mark, including Aghamore NS, Ballyhaunis NS, Barnacarroll NS, Bekan NS, Gortskehy NS, Knock NS, St. Louis Community School, Tooreen NS, Glasnevin NS, Aghamore GAA, Eastern Gaels GAA.
