The sun is shining for the 300+ hikers taking on the Bluestack Challenge for Donegal-based charities supporting individuals with additional needs, cancer care, and mental health services.
The walk has been diverted to an alternative route due to recent weather, which has left the original mountain trail waterlogged and treacherous.
After careful consideration and expert advice from Donegal Mountain Rescue and the highly experienced guides, organisers announced the new route on Thursday.
The fundraiser will now stretch over 21km of dirt track and road, and is expected to take up to 6 and a half hours.
Groups took off from the Bluestack Centre Drimarone at 9am, with the Bluestack Ramblers guiding the journey.
The bi-annual charity challenge walk has taken place since 2002, and has raised over €1.5 million for charity.
This year’s beneficiaries are the Bluestack Foundation, Donegal Down Syndrome, Cancer Care West, Good and New Cancer Bus, Solace Donegal Cancer Support Centre, the counselling services at the Pastoral Centre Letterkenny and Donegal Town Resource Centre.
While each participant will be raising money ahead of the walk, you can also donate directly to the Bluestack Challenge fundraiser here: https://gofund.me/25e1618c