Shane’s press-ups challenge raises vital funds for Childline
When Shane Bohan, a paediatric physiotherapist at Nazareth House, Sligo, heard of the how the current restrictions were resulting in a spike in demand for the ISPCC Childline service, he decided to take on a challenge of his own.
Shane called on the support of a number of friends to help raise vital funds for Ireland’s national listening service for children and young people by completing 100 press-ups every day for seven days.
The Leitrim native had his endeavours captured on camera as he pushed himself to the limit to raise over €4,700 for Childline.
His Facebook fundraising page showcased his week-long workout which included a celebration of ‘Ladies Day’ and a special message to remind everyone of the importance of washing our hands and following the guidance of health officials.
Funds raised will go towards helping to keep Childline listening to children and young people in County Sligo and across Ireland 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The service receives an average of 1,000 contacts every day by phone, online and by text.
Any child or young person (up to the age of 18) in Ireland can contact Childline for free at any time, to chat about any issue which might be on their mind. Childline can be reached by calling 1800 66 66 66 (24 hours), chatting online at Childline. ie (10am – 4am daily) or texting to 50101 (10am – 4am daily).
Children and young people have been particularly reaching out to Childline for support online, as they may not wish for their conversation to be overheard at home.
The service recorded an increase of 25 per cent in online contacts in the month of March.
Shane Bohan extended warm thanks to all of those who joined him in his challenge, shared his fundraising page, donated to his challenge and helped to support Childline at this critical time.
To check out ‘Shane’s Fundraiser for ISPCC Childline’, see: https://www.facebook.com/donate/243103193479730/.
Individuals can follow Shane’s lead and help raise vital funds for ISPCC Childline by visiting ISPCC.ie.
Meanwhile,ISPCC Childline is calling on individuals and families across the country to help keep Childline listening by taking on an extra ‘1,000 Daily Steps for Childline’ and setting up an online fundraiser to drive you on to reach the target.
It is recommended that we get at least 10,000 steps a day in, to benefit our mental and physical health.
For many of us, this can be a challenge. ISPCC Childline is asking you to challenge yourself by adding an extra 1,000 steps to your daily routine to match the 1,000 calls, texts and online contacts Childline receives each and every day.
This can easily be tracked using apps on phones, smart watches, fitness bands, etc.
If you can, why not go for a walk outside - in the park, at the beach, or even in your own back garden?
It this isn’t possible, can you stay active by undertaking a brief walk around your home, or even up and down the stairs a few times?
Keep active at this time while helping to raise much-needed funds for Childline. You can help to keep Childline listening.
To help keep Childline listening to children 24 hours a day, every day, sign up to take on an extra ‘1,000 Daily Steps for Childline’ and create your online fundraiser today.
For full details of the challenge you can check out the website on ispcc.ie.
At the time of going to press, the 1,000 steps challenge has raised almost €5,000 for Childline online.