Cork man determined to complete his 12,500km charity cycle to Everest

A Cork man in the concluding stages of a 12,500km charity cycle from Blackrock to the Mount Everest base camp in Nepal was forced to abandon his journey after encountering monsoon conditions in India.

Despite 23-year-old Daragh Cronin’s fundraising mission being put on hold for now, he remains fully determined to finish what he started.

Daragh decided to undertake the arduous challenge in aid of the Cork University Hospital children’s unit.

Setting off from Blackrock Hurling Club last February, his target was to reach the Everest base camp by September.

Before the monsoon conditions delayed his fundraising journey, he travelled through Europe, the Middle East and Iraq, crossing the tip of Oman, Pakistan, and reaching as far as Mumbai in India.

Next level chaos 

“I made it to Mumbai and the chaos that ensued then was next level,” he told The Echo.

“Coming from Ireland, we are well used to rain. But this was rain like I have never experienced in my life.”

When he was at his lowest point last weekend, Daragh was holed up in what he described as a rat-infested hotel in Mumbai.

It was then that he received a message from fellow Cork native Billy Kingston, who was living just 5km away.

“By the grace of God and pure luck, a Cork fella there and then, with the most perfect timing, sent me a message on Instagram when he saw that I was in Mumbai.

“He sent a taxi over to where I was staying and brought me over to his home.

“He invited me in and looked after me for four or five days.

“It gave me the chance to sit down and rationally think about what my options were,” he said.

Daragh remains fully determined to finish the solo fundraising challenge, planning to fly back out to Mumbai later this year, probably in October.

He said there is no doubt in his mind that he’ll be back. “I gave my word to myself that I was going to cycle to Everest base camp. And no matter what, come hell or high water, I am getting there.”

Anyone interested in donating to the ‘Project Blackrock to Basecamp’ fundraiser can do so via https://www.idonate.ie/donate/fundraiser/roaminwithcronin.

All funds raised are going towards supporting the children’s wards at Cork University Hospital, via CUH Charity.