St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge GAA in ‘30 Day Challenge’ for hospitals
St Mary’s GAA/LGFA club in Rochfortbridge have created a 30-day fitness challenge to keep people on their toes during isolation while also raising money for local hospitals, writes Sally Gorman.
The ‘30 Day Challenge’ is a daily workout made up of squats, planks and lunges (to name but a few!) which can be completed from the comfort of your own home and without any extra equipment.
The challenge began on April 1 and runs until the end of the month, but anyone can join in at any time.
Everyone who takes part is encouraged to donate at least €1 a day to a bank account set up by St Mary’s and all money raised will be split evenly between the Midland Regional Hospitals in Mullingar and Tullamore.
The ‘30 Day Challenge’ was the brainchild of Ken Berry, manager of the St Mary’s senior ladies’ football team. Ken wanted to give something back to all those working on the frontline especially club members Dawn Wallace, Amy Cully and Claire Judge.
He said: “The ‘30 Day Challenge’ will give people something to aim for everyday because the next 30 days are going to be long.
“Anyone can take part, anyone who wants to do their bit for our local healthcare workers. It can be done in your kitchen, your bedroom, your hallway, anywhere at all – but it’s better to do it outside in the fresh air.
“We will be splitting the money raised between Mullingar and Tullamore Hospitals because we have girls working in both.”
Last year’s joint team captain Aoife Brady is so proud of her friends and teammates who have been working round the clock to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
She said: “They have been through a lot themselves and if anything, this has really shown us that they are always thinking of other people.
“It’s nice for us to be able to acknowledge them and give back.”
Aoife believes that the ‘30 Day Challenge’ is bringing everyone closer together even though they are forced to stay apart at this time.
She said: “Our WhatsApp group and our Instagram page has never been as active! It is a nice way for us to keep in touch and to keep focused.
“It is a way for us to give something back and to have a bit of craic at the same time.”
Speaking about life without GAA/LGFA, Aoife said: “I know football isn’t everything but we here at St Mary’s are all so close, most of us have grown up together. It is hard when you can’t see your own team mates all the time because they are the ones who push you on.
“The GAA/LGFA means a lot to so many people, it gets people out. It is the reason why people are active and we do take it for granted.”
Like her team mates, Aoife too has been taking part in the ‘30 Day Challenge’ and is encouraging others to “just take five minutes out of their day to do seven or eight exercises.”
“They are simple exercises. No matter what your fitness levels are, they are to encourage your whole household to take part,” she said.
The Bridge men and ladies have been completing the challenge every day and have been sharing photos of their progress on social media under the hashtag #STMARYS30DAYCHALLENGE and are encouraging everyone else taking part to do the same. Nurse Amy Cully has even been spotted doing the challenge on her tea break!
If you are taking part in St Mary’s ‘30 Day Challenge’ please don’t forget to donate a minimum of €1 a day or €30 at the end of the month.
PHOTO ABOVE: Amy Cully, a nurse and footballer with both St Mary’s Rochfortbridge and Westmeath, doing her club’s ‘30 Day Challenge’ on her tea break, as she helps to battle the Covid-19 outbreak,