Team

26 Mountains to Mayo has been developed by Roger Johnston. Roger is CEO of Axial3D - a 3D medical device company. In his work, he is passionate about transformative care and ensuring it is provided to patients around the world. 

In his personal life, Roger is an increasingly driven fundraiser for charities across the island of Ireland, but has taken to the simple but overwhelming vision of Cancer Fund for Children: 

No child should face cancer alone.

Roger's JustGiving

Graeme is Managing Director of one of Northern Ireland’s largest Independent Financial Advisory & Wealth Management Companies, C.R.N. Financial Group. He has spent 30 years + advising individuals and companies alike throughout the UK with various aspects of finance. In his spare time, Graeme has been passionate in his support for various charities over the last 30 years both from a significant fundraising and lobbying support angle. Having cycled the rim of the Grand Canyon, ran marathons in Paris and London and reached the summit of Kilimanjaro all for charity, his focus is now firmly in supporting Cancer Fund for Children.

Graeme's JustGiving

Mark is the CEO of RESPONSIBLE, a technology company transforming the resale industry. He is an award winning ultramarathon runner and endurance mountain biker who likes to take on big challenges for good causes. He recently battled with cancer and is on a mission to make sure the right treatments are available for all.

Denis is a technology industry veteran and is deeply involved in the early ecosystem as an investor and mentor. He is Chairman of Anaeko and holds a portfolio of angel investments, mainly in the enterprise software space. 

In 2019, in recognition of the contribution that he has made to Entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland he received The Bank of Ireland UK Innovation Founder Award. 

Denis’s son Zach is a cancer survivor who was treated at the Children’s Cancer Unit. Denis is passionate about raising funding that would help to ensure that all children who suffer with cancer receive world class care. He has a particular interest in encouraging more research particularly in the area of rare children’s cancers and is working with the universities to encourage a greater focus in this area.

Michael Bannon is the Group Finance Manager at a fast growth Private Equity backed service-based company in London. 

A proud Belfast man, Michael is a Director with North Belfast based Mental Health Charity, Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues (TAMHI) where he has contributed to significant fundraising drives.

Michael has coached with Antrim GAA and currently coaches underage Antrim LGFA, he is hoping his previous sporting background can help him with this brilliant event. 

Having recently became a new father, Michael is delighted to be able to contribute to such a wonderful cause for a charity that does amazing work close to home.

Michael's JustGiving

Karl Crockard is the Managing Director and a founding member of CASC, a company established in Belfast in 2014.

CASC has offices globally and are a leading provider of specialist solutions to the Renewables industry, backed by a highly skilled, NI-based Engineering division.

Karl's last fundraiser for cancer involved completing a marathon with zero training and in the wrong shoes. He is keen not to continue this trend!

Karl says, "I am looking forward to taking on this challenge to support Daisy Lodge after hearing about the fantastic work that they do to ensure no child or young person faces cancer alone".

Suresh is a former Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and co-founded the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group (formerly known as 3fivetwo Healthcare) in 2004, which is Northern Ireland’s largest private healthcare company. Suresh is presently Chairman of the Group.

Keen to share his success and give back, he launched the Kingsbridge Foundation in January 2022, the charitable arm of the Group. The purpose of the Kingsbridge Foundation is to raise funds for local charities which warrant a “helping hand”; be a platform to demonstrate the Groups role in the community as a leading company which cares for local needs and wishes to play its full part in addressing those needs, and to create a lasting ‘Legacy’ to continue the Groups over-riding ethos of “care” being at the centre of everything we do.

He is also the Chairman of Sport Changes Life NI Board. Sport Changes Life aims to raise the aspirations of young people through sporting excellence, vocational and academic achievement and personal development.

Aside from supporting an extremely worthwhile charity in Cancer Fund for Children; Suresh wanted to set himself a personal goal in his quest to radically change his lifestyle and improve his physical fitness.

Suresh's JustGiving

Rachel McCausland is CEO of Lowe Corporation, the global rental leader in commercial refrigeration, kitchen infrastructure and catering equipment.  Building a career in the rental services industry for close to 2 decades, she has played a pivotal role in driving the company's global expansion through both organic and acquisitive growth strategies.

A strong advocate for giving back, Rachel’s commitment to meaningful change mirrors her approach to leadership at Lowe Corp.  Actively supporting various charities through taking part in a relay for the Belfast Marathon in aid of PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide), supporting fundraising initiatives such as the Daisy balls for Cancer Fund for Children and championing the company’s regional charity partnerships.  Her passion for creating tangible impact is reflected in the authenticity of the company’s ESG strategy, ‘Our Plan for Good’, which prioritises authentic actions that create tangible benefits for their employees, their business, and their communities.  By getting involved in the 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge, Rachel hopes to shed greater light on the invaluable work of Cancer Fund for Children and inspire others to support this vital cause.

Rachel's JustGiving

Brian Fahey is the CEO and founder of MyComplianceOffice (MCO). MCO provide next-generation compliance technology solutions to financial services firms across the world.

My wife has dedicated her entire career to philanthropy across the island of Ireland. I am delighted to be a part of this great individual cause while also looking forward to the personal challenge.

I admire the conversion of great vision to execution in any endeavour and I am proud to be assisting in the execution of the special 26 Mountains to Mayo Challenge. I am inspired by the mission of the Cancer Fund for Children and am delighted to play a small part in supporting this wonderful organization and to contributing to relieve some of the difficulties and challenges that the children and their families will face.

Tom Keogh is the founder and Managing Director of Keogh's Crisps, a family-owned business based in North County Dublin. The Keogh family have been farming the fertile lands of North Country Dublin for over 200 years. At Keogh’s Farm, we believe in the power of community and giving back. 

As part of the farming community for generations, being a good neighbor and supporting local communities is very much part of the Keogh Family Ethos. Tom is dedicated to working alongside and supporting community initiatives, driving positive changes to help build brighter futures.

Supporting Children in need is particularly close to Tom’s heart and he is proud to participate in this challenge and to play his part in raising a €1million for this very worthy charity, so no child in Ireland need go through cancer alone.

Tom's JustGiving

Gareth Chambers is CEO of Around Noon Group, the fast-growing ‘food on the move’ manufacturer employing over 800 people. Founded in Newry, Northern Ireland more than 30 years ago, Around Noon is today one of the leading ‘food on the move’ manufacturers in the UK, with facilities in Newry, Slough and North London. Around Noon manufactures sandwiches, salads, wraps and fruit pots for leading retailers, airlines, coffee chains and caterers. The company recently announced plans to grow its headcount to 1,000 with the addition of its latest factory in Slough. Last year, it also acquired the highly respected London-based Soho Sandwich Company.

Gareth's JustGiving

Dr Martin Shields is a Consultant Anaesthetist and Group Medical Director for Kingsbridge Healthcare Group (KHG). He also chairs the Kingsbridge Foundation, which supported by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, has secured over £1 million in charitable fundraising in the three years since it was established. Heading a committee with staff representatives from all sections of KHG, Martin has overseen donations to numerous local community projects in NI and ROI including Cancer Fund for Children’s Daisy Ball fundraiser, which the Foundation has supported for several years.

He is both delighted and privileged to be invited to participate in the 26 Mountains to Mayo Challenge. In preparation, Martin has already planned a full schedule of weekend walks and hiking for his colleagues who have enthusiastically pledged their support for the fundraiser and are excited about playing their part in helping such a worthy cause while boosting their own fitness levels and positive mental health.

Brendan has over 25 years of business scaling experience, including 12 years as CEO of a local SME that became a global industry leader. In 2020 he co-founded Simple Scaling with Claire Colvin and co-authored the Amazon Best-Seller, "Simple Scaling: 10 Proven Principles to 10x Your Business." Brendan hosts the acclaimed podcast "ScaleX™ Insider," ranked in the top 2% of podcasts globally. A qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director, he was named UK Young Director of the Year in 2016. Outside work, Brendan is a 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Wim Hof Method Instructor.

For a few years now I have set one annual physical challenge as a way to meet like minded people, have something to stay in shape for and importantly raise money for a worthy cause. Last year I was part of a Marie Curie challenge to cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia raising over £250k.

Unfortunately, the ravage of cancer is close to my family hence my reason for getting involved in the 26 peaks challenge.

Brendan's JustGiving

Pearce is Managing Director of the Kelly Supermarket Group.

He started his career in retail 35 years ago with his brother when they acquired a shop in Maghera. Today they have a portfolio of 13 supermarkets in the Mid Ulster area.

Pearce is a member of the Eurospar Guild and of the Henderson Food Service Forum.

The Kelly Group has been a Supporter and Fundraiser for Cancer Fund for Children for over 10 years now and has raised circa £300k to date. Pearce has previously trekked The Rockies and The Grand Canyon to raise valuable funds.

Pearce is married and has four children. He enjoys a challenge and while he admits this is certainly a daunting one, he is committed to raising the much needed funds to support the wonderful work carried out by the Charity.

Pearce's JustGiving

Mark is Managing Director of MAK Civils Ltd a specialist civil engineering company based in Cheshire.

Whilst he was brought up in England he has strong ancestry roots in Ireland, and visits on a regular basis having a holiday home on the Galway / Mayo border, close to his mother, brother and family members.

Tragically Mark lost Kian, his 16 year old son, to brain cancer 4 days prior to Christmas 2024, and was looking for a way to honour his son and to raise funds for others in a similar situation. When a close friend of Mark’s told him about 26 Mountains 2 Mayo this seemed the perfect challenge for Mark, with his strong Irish connection and being a keen hiker and climber. Mark loves nothing more than to go off in his campervan at any opportunity to go hiking and enjoy the outdoors. Kian also loved the outdoors, taking every opportunity to join his dad exploring the mountains. This challenge feels like it was made for Mark and his son, particularly with the end leg being in Galway and Mayo.

Mark's JustGiving

Marty McMullan is the Operations Director at Kane which has owned and operated with his brothers since 2003. Kane is a leading multi-disciplinary building-services contractor based in Banbridge Northern Ireland. It also has offices in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and the Republic of Ireland. Kane has a strong heritage in designing, developing, and delivering building-service solutions throughout the UK and Ireland

  Marty says - I have a keen interest in trail and mountain running and have taken part in a number of ultra challenges over the past number of years. I am very lucky to live at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains where I have ample opportunities to train along with some great friends.  

  I am proud to be able to play my part in the 26 Mountains to Mayo challenge to raise vital funds for Daisy Lodge which is wonderful organization providing respite for children suffering with cancer and their families. 

Is a former professional player with Ulster and Ireland. Retiring in 2015.

Declan now works in the construction industry with a project cost and management business. He is an avid walker, hiker and more recently mountaineer.

Declan has previously leant his knowledge in experience in teamworking and leadership to the Welcome Organisation homelessness charity as a non executive board member and is excited to have the opportunity to combine his passion for hiking with such an important charitable cause.

Anthony has worked for over 25 years in Private Equity and Corporate Finance most of which was spent at Montagu Private Equity investing in a range of businesses and sectors across Europe including Survitec in Dunmurry. For the last six years he has been Vice Chair of DC Advisory. 

“When I saw this challenge I just had to do it. It will be amazing to travel throughout Ireland and hopefully I will be fit enough to make it up and down all 26. I’ve climbed Mount Kenya and Snowdon a few times but I think this will be on another level. Most important though is the cause. Every family is impacted by Cancer and mine is no exception so this is an important charity to support”

Anthony's JustGiving

Robin in a Trustee on the Board of Cancer Fund for Children.  He is committed to the vision of the charity to ensure that no child faces cancer alone.  In participating and supporting the 26M2M challenge he recognises the ongoing need to raise funds to provide hospital and community support as well as the special retreat facility at Daisy Lodge.  A second facility in Mayo expands this service as we grow the support services across Ireland.  Never shy of a challenge he recently completed the Tour de Mont Blanc hike finishing a close second to his daughter.

Robin's JustGiving

Wayne has spent 40 years exploring the best the world has to offer and is the founder and CEO of WP Exclusive Luxury, his luxury travel and lifestyle management company, with a global clientele.

He lost his mother to breast cancer when he was 21 years old and since then has participated in fund raising for cancer charities, including running a marathon at the North Pole and 7 marathons in 7 days, with all proceeds going to the Ulster Cancer Foundation. Since the birth of his young son, Wayne has worked very closely with Cancer Fund for Children on fundraising.

Therefore, he is feeling very motivated to again be training for another challenge for kids across the island of Ireland to help achieve the objective of
No child should face cancer alone.

Wayne's JustGiving