The seven day Croagh Patrick Challenge le by Johnny Oosten and event organiser Pat Kearns has raised in excess of €116,000 for the charity Autism Ireland. At a presentation in the Welcome Inn Hotel on Friday last a cheque was handed over to the CEO of Autism Ireland Kevin Whelan. As the money raised by each count y stays within that county, the Chairman of the Mayo Branch, Enda Hiney, accepted a cheque for €85,550 which was raised by Mayo.

Participants who completed the challenge each received a signed certificate.  The youngest challenger was 12 year old Laura Beeston who received a special award. Laura has already climbed in Ben Nevis, Snowdon, Carrigtowill and other mountains. Certificates were also presented to the Murrisk Community, the Mayo Mountain Rescue and the Order of Malta. All the sponsors, contributors and the media including both local and national were thanked. Deputy Town Mayo of Castlebar Blackie Gavin promised that Castlebar would offer a civic reception to the two leaders and Fine Gael Deputy John O'Mahony promised that he would continue the battle with the government to get proper services for autistic children.

The Welcome Inn Hotel provided a buffet meal for all in attendance and particularly to those who had travelled from outside the county. Following the buffet music and dance was the order of the night with a special raffle for some wonderful prizes. The challenge for 2009 will take on an international one and already plans are being prepared for another international event for Mayo. The event was compered by Henry McGlade.