Galway motorcyclist raises thousands for children’s charity

A GALWAY-based motorcycle enthusiast has raised close to €20,000 for the Children's Health Foundation (CHF).

Mike Naughton, who is originally from Ballyforan in South Roscommon but now works as a software engineer with Cisco Galway, is currently undertaking the charity’s mammoth Route 66 Motorcycle Challenge.

He has been raising money for years through endurance-based motorcycle challenges, such as Long Day Down, a route stretching from Malin Head to Mizen Head completed in a single day.

Mike's latest challenge sees him battling the heat, which can rise to well over 40 degrees at some stages, for a 14-day journey across the USA.

While he has already successfully navigated the challenge in the past, this time will be slightly different. He will do so alongside his girlfriend Clodagh.

“There’s an awful lot of practice involved. It’s so much harder with a pillion passenger,” Mike explained.

“Slow speed manoeuvres are different, and you need to think about braking and corners a bit more. But she’s taken it very seriously. She’s been amazing.”

Altogether, Mike has raised more than €19,500 ahead of this year’s challenge. For all the miles, heat and physical exhaustion involved in Route 66, he says what stays with him most afterwards are the people.

“You end up making friends forever on the plane ride over. A lot of the people you meet on the tour are salt of the earth for the reasons they themselves want to raise money for this charity,” he recalled.

“You’re nearly depressed when it’s over. Not because of the spin ending, but because of the people you meet. The craic you have is unreal.”

Before becoming involved with Children’s Health Foundation, Mike had already begun fundraising for Headway and Acquired Brain Injury Ireland following a serious brain injury sustained by his sister Helena in 2014.

His eldest sister Amanda had also been diagnosed with leukaemia when she was younger, an experience which left a lasting impression on him and his family.

“I was always very grateful for charities and all the support they had because both of them survived these ailments,” he says.

“I just wanted to make a difference when I actually could, once I came out of college and knew I could afford to do these things.”

Mike’s journey is just one example of the many ways people across Ireland are helping the Children’s Health Foundation, a charity which supports sick children and their families.

From taking part in a fundraising event or organising your own challenge, to donating or supporting one of the foundation’s annual campaigns. Every donation, fundraiser and act of support helps make a difference for children, young people and their families.

To find out more about how you can get involved and support sick children, visit childrenshealth.ie.