It came as little surprise to anyone who has followed the well-known adventurer Gavan Hennigan when he announced he was going to take on one of the world’s toughest endurance events once again.

The Knocknacarra man won the Iditarod 1,000-mile foot race last year, battling his way across extreme ice and snow in the wilds of Alaska to be crowned champion after 24 days.

But this year, he has returned with an added purpose – to raise money for Parkinson’s Ireland Galway Branch which has provided immeasurable support to his mum, Julie, who was diagnosed with the disease last year.

Gavan rose to prominence in 2017 when he completed a solo row across the Atlantic, becoming the fastest Irishman to complete the 5,000km journey and setting a new world record for an individual rower.

Gavan set off on February 23 and continues along the trail which is likely to take him almost four weeks to complete.

He’s already raised around €10,000 on his iDonate page for the Galway Branch of Parkinson’s Ireland and this is a source of particular pride for Julie, who says the organisation has been her rock since she received her diagnosis.

To donate to Gavan’s fundraiser for Parkinson’s Ireland Galway Branch, visit idonate.ie/fundraiser/Iditarod1000

Caption: Gavin Hennigan this week as he makes his way along the 1,000 mile Iditarod trail in Alaska.

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