Two days on and still struggling to walk after hell and back but well worth it. A great experience combined with the massive success of my fundraising and bag-packing efforts for a combined total of over 1100€ raised.

The one downside being that I'll never live with the fact that my 48 year old uncle finished the race half an hour before me 🔫

To get the ball rolling for my 100minds fundraising campaign I asked a friend of mine (who has the voice of an angel) announce during a gig over christmas that I was taking part in Hell and Back to raise funds for the ISPCC. A Great night was had with 150 euro raised to get my fundraising underway as well managing to coax several friends into participating with me.....guess this means i'll actually have to start training now.

14/01/16 - Just Received the go ahead from my local GAA club to organise my 8 a side astro turf event. Receiving great feedback so far with a lot of people signing up straight away. Have my my team lists nearly completed from the local golden oldies to the schoolboys competing.

Hoping to finalize a date end of February so praying the sun will shine for a few hours.

My organising skills seems already better than that of Sepp Blatter and FIFA's at the moment.

25/01/16 - Today was a day of mixed emotions. After appealing to both my primary and secondary schools in a bid to organise non uniform days two weeks ago, my appeals got declined by both boards of management.

On the other hand I got good news regarding three events. I have secured a company (PremierTrophies.ie) who are more than willing to donate some Sam Maguire - esque trophies for the winners of my astro turf event as well as local shops sponsoring crates of Lucozade sport to hydrate the day.

Having worked in my local SuperValu for 5 years they were also more than happy to help and allow me to kindly organise a bag-packing day on the 29th of January.

A great way to spend the birthday raising funds for a great cause, while also finally learning how to pack a bag properly. The mother will be proud after 23 years.

15/02/16 - A small setback once again merited with some good news.

My astro tournament has had to be rescheduled to the 5th of March as there was a double booking in the local GAA club. While this news luckily didn't impact my teams too much I was able to show them the trophies which I collected to motivate them that little bit more.

PremierTrophies.ie Kindly donated 8 lovely trophies for the winning team as well as a "golden boot" for the winner of the crossbar challenge which will take place at the end of the tournement followed by "tay and hang sandwiches"

Just under a month to go now, really looking forward a great day which will add another bit of funding towards the ISPCC.

In relation to my final event a date has finally been set for my "virtual race night". The venue will be Scanlon's Bar, main street Kinnegad on April the 8th.

I have been lucky enough to receive great support from all local businesses who sponsored several races where the respective jockeys and horses will race against each other in a hope to double their money, with the losers bets being donated straight the ISPCC. The event will include 8 races with 8 horses running in each race with a raffle at the interval with prizes kindly donated from Trevor Byrne of Scanlon's bar, Hair by Jacqui and also Kinnegad Pharmacy.

After a few long tough months it's safe to say I surpassed my own expectations with a great night last night in Scanlons bar Kinnegad with my race night.

After 6 races, an auction race and the raffle €1300 was raised with the night topped off with music from local legend Stephan lynam!

Learnt so much these past few months organising the events! Very glad I took part in 100minds this year and I would definetly recommend all future students to get involved!

Declan Egan and Kevin Cassidy are a credit to themselves for their efforts with 100 minds!