Ollie climbs Atlas Mountains peak for children's charity

A big-hearted fitness fanatic, who has trekked up some of the world's highest mountains for charity, recently returned home after he spent two exhausting days climbing North Africa's highest peak.

Ollie Towey, a native of Brusna, near Ballaghaderreen, spent some of the festive season climbing to the summit of Mount Toukbal in the Atlas Mountains.

The snow-capped peak soars to 4,167 metres and Ollie said it was an intense 48-hour trek in aid of the Jack & Jill Foundation but one he thoroughly enjoyed.

The 41-year-old, who lives and works in Carlow where he is also completing an engineering degree, decided to support the charity that provides specialist home nursing and end-of-life care for children.

Ollie regularly climbs Croagh Patrick and he has previously climbed Kilimanjaro in 2022, Everest base camp in 2016 and Machu Picchu in Peru last year.

"I needed to get some fresh perspective on life and I flew to Marrakech at the last minute," he said. "The two-day trek in the Atlas Mountains was tough enough, it usually takes four days but we did a 35km express trek in two days as that was all they had available."

Ollie, who is also completing a 31-day fitness challenge, said he thought it was to do the fundraiser for a very worthy charity like the Jack & Jill Foundation.

"I find climbing mountains is good for the soul and I have come back to Ireland rejuvenated, reinvigorated and refocused for the new year," he added.

The former professional boxer who enjoys keeping fit by running marathons and testing himself to the limit has said his ambition is to climb Mount Everest over the coming years.

You can donate by clicking here.