Community Groups
Huckleberry Finn Day Charity Event
By Vincent McHale
15, Jul 2010 - 09:54

HUCKLEBERRY FINN DAY CHARITY EVENT

(In aid of Foxford & District Search & Rescue)

It's that time of year again and the Huckleberry Finn Day returns for its second expedition.

After a successful inaugural event last year where over 100 people participated, the second Huckleberry Finn day is taking place on the River Moy on August 7^th 2010.  The event is a locally organised charitable event to raise funds to improve water safety along the River Moy. This year the organisers aim to have over 200 plus river-craft consisting of a combination of kayaks, canoes and rafts traveling leisurely down the River Moy. No previous experience is necessary and all equipment is provided by the organisers. The event is pleased to have two local sponsors on board in Crean Mosaics and Top Level Roofing and Cladding.

Last year’s event proved to be a highly enjoyable and worthwhile experience for everyone involved especially the participants who enjoyed the beautiful journey down the Moy.

Paramount to the event being a success is the safety of participants and the organisers have completed a detailed safety plan. All participants will be required to wear buoyancy aids and helmets and will receive compulsory safety briefing and training. Foxford Search and Rescue will be supporting the event with a combination of boat, jet-ski and kayaks in the water at all times in addition to a land support vehicle along side the river route. The organisers have enlisted the help of a team of local experienced kayakers from the GMIT  Castlebar Kayak Club who have surveyed the route on several occasions to ensure the safest and most scenic route will be traveled. The event is not a race and the goal is to make it an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for both expert and novice kayaker.

This year we hope to make it an even more enjoyable and fascinating experience for the 2010 adventure.

This year's Event will be officially opened by Mary, Derek & Dervla Burke of ‘Crystal Swing' fame.  The guys have kindly agreed to cut the tape on the day.  Crystal Swing are playing the Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Friday night 6^th August.  Crystal Swing have come to prominence over the last few months thank to their appearance on Youtube and the Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US.  Their unique style has attracted a huge following in Ireland and further a field and they have been recently nominated for the ‘Best Newcomer Award' at the Irish Entertainment Awards to be held in October.

This year the event will take place on Saturday 7th August.

Intended participants will be supplied with a sponsorship card and are required to raise a minimum of 100 euro. The profits from the event will go towards providing life-saving equipment along the Moy with a donation also planned to the Foxford Search and Rescue organisation.

Route Map

The event organisers would like to hear from anyone who is interested in participating or helping out with what will prove to be an exciting and fun day on the Moy, please contact the organisers by email: hbfday @gmail.com or call Vincent on 087 4106496 for further details. The organisers would also be delighted to hear from you if you are a business owner  interested in being associated with this unique event or sponsoring either by provision of goods or direct donation. A social event is currently being organised for all in the evening to finish off a memorable day on the Moy.