TO mark his 25th year in the priesthood, Fr Gary Donegan is planning to scale new heights.
The popular north Belfast priest has set himself the challenge of leading a trek up Ireland's holiest mountain and raise money for charity in the process.
Fr Donegan will climb Croagh Patrick, which stands at 2,500 feet or 750 metres above sea level, and is where St Patrick himself, in 441 AD, fasted for 40 days.
The Holy Cross priest hopes the challenge, which he has called 'Silver Jubilee, Climb of the Reek' will raise funds for both the MS Society NI and Marie Curie.
Fr Donegan said he was embarking on the trek in honour of "his 'hero' brother Mark, who lives with MS every day of his life, battling what is a debilitating progressive neurological condition "with grace, humanity and a smile on his face".
He will be joined by community representatives, friends, family and political representatives and other clergy across the entire north Belfast area of Shankill Road, Crumlin Road and Ardoyne.
To make a donation in support Fr Donegan's trek on May 14, please visit www.mssociety.org.uk/ms-events/fr-garys-croagh-patrick-challenge-1
Or donations can be sent to Holy Cross, 432 Crumlin Road Belfast BT14 7GE, marked Fr Gary's Croagh Patrick Trek.
