A Roscommon nurse Fergal Guihen hailing from Arigna raised over €210,000 for two charities after cycling across three continents and 28 countries over nearly two years.

In March 2024, Guihen departed Ireland and arrived at Sydney Opera House in February 2026.

On his fundraising journey, he completed a solo cycling expedition where he cycled through some of the most remote and demanding terrain in the world, including the Tibetan Plateau, the Taklamakan Desert and war-affected regions of Afghanistan.

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During his journey he faced extreme weather, a violent attack in Iran and the devastating loss of his first cousin to suicide during the journey.

Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation

He presented a cheque for €105,000 to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation last Saturday.

The large sum of money raised will support the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation’s vital palliative care services across the western seaboard as well as its landmark new project, the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, which is set to be the first children’s hospice built outside of Dublin and the first of its kind since 2011.

The rest of the money raised was donated to North West STOP suicide prevention services.

“This journey was always about more than just the distance. I am incredibly proud to have raised over €210,000 for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and North West STOP suicide prevention services,” Guihen said.

“The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation provided vital palliative care for my great grandmother in the final days of her life and both charities are extremely close to my heart. I hope every euro raised makes a real difference to the families who need these services most.”

“The support I received throughout the journey was overwhelming. I met extraordinary people along the way and relied on the kindness of strangers across dozens of countries.

“Donations and messages of encouragement came in from all over the world and in every country I passed through I experienced a generosity I will never forget,” he said.

“Fergal's achievement has left us truly humbled. To cycle across three continents, endure everything he endured and still keep these causes at the heart of it all, that speaks to an extraordinary character,” CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation Martina Jennings said.

“We are so grateful to Fergal for choosing Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. This €105,000 will make a real and lasting difference, both to our existing hospice services in Mayo and Roscommon, and to the Sunflower Children’s Hospice.”