Brave Irish man Adrian Harkin with Motor Neurone Disease aims to raise €1million

A Donegal man who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) 18 months ago is aiming to raise awareness and €1 million for The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).

Adrian Harkin’s campaign - Adrian's Legacy: The Summit 2 Sea for MND - involves a unique combination of paddling and climbing, symbolising the resilience required in the face of MND.

The Irish coastline will be divided up into over 40 sections with section leads coordinating each section, all while being tracked live via GPS trackers.

The 12-hour relay will begin from Adrian’s Home in Moville from Inish Adventures, with the opportunity for businesses to sponsor a seat in a double sea kayak and have a nominated member of their staff in the boat.

The final section of Ireland from Shrove back into Moville will be completed by Adrian himself paddling in a yellow Sea Kayak with his good friend Shane Cronin along with friends and family.

At the same time Adrian’s good friend, Ciaran Farrell will be organising that each of the highest hills in each county of Ireland is summitted on the same day. This is a marathon undertaking just like MND itself is. With friends, family, the outdoor community, clients Adrian has had the pleasure to work with and the public to get behind his campaign.

Adrian is a resilient individual on a journey shaped by the challenges of MND. This initiative is a testament to Adrian's determination to leave a lasting legacy and raise crucial funds. In August of 2022, Adrian was diagnosed with MND, a life-altering moment that temporarily took him away from his passion for water activities. Undeterred, he embraced cycling along the scenic Wild Atlantic Way with friends, marking the beginning of a transformative journey.

Adrian's last cycle, on St Patrick's Day 2023, became a poignant moment as his physical capabilities started to decline.

As Adrian faced increasing challenges, his friend Shooter organised a paddle down the Lough to show solidarity and support. This experience planted the seed for Summit 2 Sea for MND.

Despite grim predictions in October, Adrian persevered and began contemplating the legacy he wanted to leave behind. To honour the support received from IMNDA, which provided crucial equipment like a chair lift, an electric wheelchair, and an eye gaze machine, Adrian conceived the Summit 2 Sea for MND campaign. The fundraising efforts aim to contribute to research for treatments and cures for MND.

The Summit 2 Sea for MND is scheduled to take place on April 20, with possible alternative dates marked as April 21, 27 and 28. The challenge is to paddle around Ireland and climb to the 32 highest points in 12 hours.

An iDonate page has been set up and you can follow all on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Adrian has called on friends, family, the outdoor community, past clients, and the public to support the Summit 2 Sea for MND campaign.

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