Ireland’s first Skiathon, which took place on Friday 30th October in Ski Centre, Sandyford, Dublin 18 was definitely a unique way to spend a spooky Halloween. The event was opened by Ireland’s two female Olympic Skiers, Kirsten & Tamsen McGarry, along with skiers from the Ski Centre Instructor Team and the Garda Ski Club. Teams skied through the night to raise funds for the Chernobyl Children’s Charity Homes of Hope, starting on Friday evening at 6pm for 24 hours, concluding on Saturday 31st of October. The teams broke a Guinness World Record - skiing over 300km on a continuous run over a 24 hour period.

The recently opened Ski Centre in Sandyford, is Ireland’s first indoor ski school and is already proud of its association with several charities. The Chernobyl Children’s Project International is close to the hearts of the Garda Ski Club, some of whom train or instruct regularly at Ski Centre and were strong participants in the Skiathon. Ski Centre instructor and Garda Declan Mallen formed the Garda Ski club team and along with the Ski Centre and fellow colleagues from the Garda Training college in Templemore, were inspired to create a unique fundraising initiative for the Chernobyl Children’s Charity Homes of Hope.

More than 50 skiers performed on the slopes over the 24hr duration of the Skiathon challenge. Throughout the night 12 Ski Centre instructors set a new Guinness World Record on one slope, whilst volunteer teams, including members of the Garda Ski Club, skied on the second slope – each skier has raised sponsorship and donated online using www.mycharity.ie/event/skicentreskiathon09  

Speaking at the launch of Skiathon, Ski Centre Manager Jane McGarry commented: “Over the last number of months, we have been working with our instructors to find an initiative that was the right fit for the Ski Centre brand. We wanted to create a challenge that we would be proud of as a company, have the ability to set a Guinness World Record and one that was credible enough to raise significant funds for a charity that is close to our hearts”.

Adi Roche also said ‘My heart-felt thanks to all the staff at the Ski Centre, the student Gardaí, instructors and the participants who organised this record-breaking event to raise funds so that many children throughout the Chernobyl regions can walk into a real home – a ‘Home of Hope’. Each and every one of the skiers has shown how the tremendous power of the human spirit can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. When a lot of people give a little it can mean so much’.

Spectators were welcomed to the opening demonstration by Ski Centre instructors and supported the teams throughout the challenge. There was face-painting, a disc jockey and a Barbeque on Saturday 31st from Midday to 6pm. All proceeds on the day were donated to Chernobyl Children’s Project.                                           

On Saturday, St Andrew’s College Booterstown and students from the Garda College in Templemore also undertook a bucket collection at the Beacon Court Hotel, Sandyford and Dundrum Shopping Centre.

At the opening the Olympic girls, Kirsten and Tamsen, were also on hand to talk about all aspects of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver this coming February.

For more info on Ski Centre, including videos, visit www.skicentre.ie