Twenty-eight years on from the first ever North West 10k came the great news on Monday night that the charity run and walk has now raised over 1 million euros. On Monday night in the Mount Errigal Hotel it was announced that the proceeds from the 2025 North West 10k brought the charity event over the 1 million euros mark for the first time.

Just under €984,000 had been raised over the previous 27 years ahead of 10k Chairperson Neil Martin announcing on Monday night that €34,800 had been raised from the 2025 event to bring the total since 1997 to €1,018,000.

That was a monumental milestone for all involved with the North West 10k be that as a committee member, a charity and all those who have taken part in the popular community event over the past 28 years. It’s predecessor was the Rockhill 10k which had been running for over a decade from the mid-1980s. The army personnel announced that it would not be continuing to run the charity event after 1996. It was Charlie Kelly and a few others who had a conversation about continuing the race and walk. The rest is history as the first committee was formed in the Mount Errigal Hotel with Charlie Kelly as Chairperson. Since then over 40 charities have benefitted handsomely under the name of the North West 10k.

The two 2025 charities Donegal Horizons CLG and Multiple Sclerosis Donegal Branch each received cheques to the tune of €17,476. The 10K walk/run has helped 41 local charities achieve great things since it began in 1997.

Neil Martin commended the charities for their work this year and acknowledged every voluntary committee member who has served since 1997. Mayor of Letterkenny, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, congratulated everyone and said: “It’s a great example of people coming together and so much good coming from it. To each one of you, congratulations and well done. Having reached that million mark means so much to each one of you.”

From coffee mornings to pub quizzes, and the spectacular Stars in Their Eyes show, this year’s two charities pulled out all the stops to generate funds and awareness for their work. Anne Ramsey of Donegal Horizons CLG stated that the €17,476 donation will significantly enhance services in Carndonagh and Letterkenny. Donegal Horizons, which supports adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities or autism, opened its new Letterkenny premises in the Grand Central building this month, and the funds will also assist with set-up costs.

Sam Kennedy Chairperson of the MS Ireland Donegal branch said that every euro is appreciated. The charity will be using the funds to cover supports such as physio, welfare and outings for members in Donegal.

The North West 10K committee is a 12-strong group that organises the race and supports charities in their three months of fundraising ahead of the event. They were joined tonight by former committee members, including past chairpersons Grace and James Boyle. Charlie Kelly, though absent, was also acknowledged for his work from the very first event at Rockhill. Other past committee members there from the early years included Bridgeen and Patsy Doherty and Rosemary Foy. Retired Garda Mick Foy and serving member Sergeant Eunan Walsh were also in attendance along with Donegal Volunteer Centre representatives.

“We all have been on a very big journey since the launch back in February. It was important at the outset for the two charities to know what was involved in order for it to be a success for all of them. We emphasised the need to get to work quickly with ideas for fundraisers that would boost the proceeds ahead of the actual run and walk. As well as the money raised it has given the charities a lot of media exposure and public awareness of what they do on a day-to-day basis” Mr Martin said.

He also acknowledged the hard work of his own committee since the New Year in making sure that the charities were supported every step of the way. “Lots of things have to be put in place along the way to make sure everything goes right on the day. We have people on the committee that always step up to the plate when we need them. It’s important that everything is spot-on for the actual charity run and walk.

The bottom line is the health and safety of everyone taking part. That was achieved again with the help of the Gardai under Sergeants Elaine Gordon and Liam Gillespie, all the stewards and marshalls who gave off their time to help us on the day. Thanks also to the Donegal Volunteer Centre for providing people to do various jobs and the Red Cross. Liam O’Donnell and all the team at Letterkenny Community Centre as always gave us full cooperation with the use of the Marquee for the pre-registrations and setting up inside on the day of the event” Mr Martin.

The support of the five sponsors Brian McCormick Inter-Sport, Century Complex, Donegal Daily, the Mount Errigal Hotel and the Value Centre was acknowledged on Monday night by Mr Martin.”

Special guest for the event on Monday night was the new Mayor of the Letterkenny/Milford Municipal Cllr Ciaran Brogan. Also present was Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly who was Leas-Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council earlier in the day. Monday was a momentous night for the North West 10k. Passing the one million euros mark was a testimony to the work of so many people giving of their time voluntarily to support over 40 worthy causes.