Four Laois soldiers are set to take on a mammoth challenge at the end of this month in Lebanon to raise funds for three charities.
The four, who hail from Mountmellick, Errill, Clough-Ballacolla and Portarlington and have been in South Lebanon since November, will scale a height equivalent to that of Mount Everest – the world’s highest mountain.
Company Sergeant Ian Martin (Errill) is on his sixth tour of duty while Commandant Shane Conlon (Mountmellick) is currently on his fourth.
Corporal Johnny Finane (Clough-Ballacolla) is on his second tour of duty while Corporal Jamie Friel (Portarlington) is on his first.
The quartet were due to be home by now, but, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, they are hoping to get back to Ireland by the end of June instead.
Almost 200 Irish, Polish and Maltese soldiers are taking part in this two day event on May 30 and 31.
The Snake Hill Run takes place on May 30 and will see teams of 23 will complete 10 x 1.1km laps and one team of 6 will complete 40 laps.
Each team will climb the height of Mount Everest. Also six members, including CS Ian Martin, will each run 37 laps completing a full marathon and also climbing the height of Mount Everest.
While the ENGCON Loaded March will take place on May 31. The Engineer Contingent of the Battalion have organised a challenge of a 25km/40km march within the camp including Snake Hill whle carrying 14kg weight.
All proceeds will go to Milford Care Centre, ARC House and Waterford Hospice.
All three charities provide support and care to Cancer patients and all charities have personal connections with members of the Battalion.
You can donate at the link below and you can also track the progress of the lads on Twitter.
