Backed by an army of supporters, Paddy took on an arduous challenge for South Tipp Hospice
Paddy Flynn completed three peak challenge to raise funds for South Tipperary Hospice
Reaching the summit of the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales was a solo mission undertaken by Paddy Flynn, but completing the challenge was all about the community that supported him in taking on the arduous task.
Given his long career serving in the defence forces, it is no surprise that the preparation and logistics of his mission were of the top standard, but while out on the mountains in all weather, the will to keep going was greatly strengthened by the reason he took on the mission and why so many people supported him.
Paddy Flynn took on the challenge of reaching the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in the Lake District in England and Snowdon in Wales to raise funds for South Tipperary Hospice.
The former army man always liked setting himself demanding physical challenges, and taking on the three mountains was something he had set his mind on.
“I thought it would be nice to do the three peaks for a good cause and I decided on the South Tipperary Hospice because I was aware of all of the good work carried out by the Hospice over the years and all of the families supported by South Tipp Hospice,” said Paddy.
Paddy said he was very moved by the level of support among family, friends, neighbours and serving and retired Army colleagues and said that support kept him going during the difficult times on the mountains.
“The response was amazing. Some of the people who supported me would have gone through cancer and others would have known people coping with cancer, and they wanted to support South Tipperary Hospice and hoped that the funds raised would help other families dealing with cancer in the future,” said Paddy.
Paddy said he was very proud to walk into the South Tipperary Hospice offices in Clonmel recently to hand over a cheque for €8,225.
“It was a great feeling to be able to hand over the funds, and I am very grateful to everybody who supported me in taking on the challenge and who responded so generously to the appeal for funds for South Tipperary Hospice,” said Paddy Flynn.
Paddy, originally from Carrigaholt in County Clare, has lived in Cahir since the early eighties and is enjoying retirement after giving a lifetime of service to the Irish Army.
He retired as Brigadier General from the Irish Army and was the GOC (General Officer Commanding) of 1 Brigade based in Cork. During his career, Paddy also served in Kickham Barracks in Clonmel.
Married to Maria, Paddy is enjoying retirement and the three peaks challenge was on his mind for some time. A regular walker in the Galtees, Paddy said he took a shine to mountaineering in the early eighties and is trained in navigation and map reading.
“I had a plan to do the hardest first and drove from Cahir to Larne to get the ferry to Scotland and take it from there,” said Paddy.
He did Ben Nevis (1,345m) on the Monday, Scafell Pike (978m) on the Wednesday and Snowdon (1084m) on the Friday.
“The one I preferred most was Scafell Pike because it was more challenging. It was more of a mountain route rather than a tourist route. There were a lot of tourists on the other two mountains. There was plenty of fog, wind, and rain, but it was very enjoyable and I took the ferry home from Holyhead on the Saturday,” said Paddy.
“There was a lot of driving, and the scenery was spectacular, and I enjoyed taking on the three peaks. I wouldn't swap the Galtees for any of them, though, “ said Paddy, who also spends a lot of time hiking in the Comeraghs and the Knockmealdowns.