Drogheda Arctic Challenge fundraiser Graham Brodigan is preparing to travel more than 350km north of the Arctic Circle next March as he takes on an eight-day expedition to raise money for the Irish Heart Foundation.
For Graham, the cause is personal.
A few years ago, he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, bringing the importance of heart health much closer to home.
When the opportunity to take part in the Irish Heart Foundation’s Arctic Challenge came up, it was initially the scale of the adventure that caught his attention.
“The more I spoke to the Irish Heart Foundation and learned about the work they do, the more I realised just how much support they provide to people and families all across Ireland,” he said.
“It made me feel like I’d chosen exactly the right charity to get behind.”
Preparing for eight days in the Arctic
Graham will join 13 other participants for the Irish Heart Foundation challenge, which will take the group to Kilpisjärvi in Finland after travelling through Tromsø in Norway.
The official itinerary includes cold-weather and safety training, skiing, snowshoeing, Arctic survival skills and an overnight expedition across the frozen landscape.
The group has already met and Graham has stepped up his fitness routine, spending more time hiking and working on the endurance he expects to need.
“I think a lot of it will be about getting comfortable being uncomfortable,” he said.
“There are going to be cold days, tired days and moments where you just want to stop, so I want to prepare myself as much as possible for that.”
The challenge information warns participants to expect camping in temperatures potentially reaching minus 20°C.
But Graham expects being away from his family for eight days to present a different kind of challenge.
“At the same time, they’re a massive motivation for doing it. I think it’s a great example to show them as they grow up, try new things, challenge yourself, don’t be afraid to do something difficult and, whenever you get the chance, use it to help somebody else.”
Drogheda gets behind the fundraising
Graham initially set himself the €6,500 fundraising target associated with taking part in the Arctic Challenge.
After approaching €3,000 in a relatively short period, he has now set his sights higher and hopes to raise €10,000 before setting off.
The Irish Heart Foundation’s official challenge page currently lists Graham Brodigan among its participating fundraisers.
A number of Drogheda businesses are already getting involved.
East has offered to host charity events, the Black Bull is supporting the fundraising and Primal Fitness has offered to host a fundraising workout.
For Graham, one encounter while filming a promotional video around Drogheda summed up the local response.
The video involved stopping people and asking if they knew where the Arctic Circle was.
One woman asked what they were filming and, when she heard about Graham’s challenge and the Irish Heart Foundation, donated €50 on the spot.
“That really sums up why I love Drogheda,” Graham said. “People genuinely want to get behind something when they see somebody trying to do a bit of good.”
Hot Wing Challenge coming to Drogheda
The next fundraiser takes place at East on Saturday, 19th September, when ten people are due to tackle a Hot Wing Challenge.
Collections for the Irish Heart Foundation will take place on the night, with more fundraising events planned in the months before Graham travels.
One of those plans is considerably more ambitious.
World record quiz attempt at the Black Bull
Graham has hosted a weekly quiz in Drogheda for years and is now planning to turn that experience into an attempt at a Guinness World Records title.
The attempt is due to begin at 9am on Friday, 13th November at the Black Bull.
The current Guinness World Records title for the longest marathon as a quiz master stands at 35 hours and 40 minutes.
Graham plans to continue beyond that benchmark, subject to the official Guinness World Records requirements applying to his attempt.
With at least one question needed every minute, he expects to prepare somewhere in the region of 4,000 questions.
“I wanted to use something I already love doing,” he said.
“Rather than simply asking people to donate, they can come down, play the quiz, bring their friends, have a laugh and hopefully become part of a Guinness World Records attempt at the same time.”
Graham hopes people will drop into the Black Bull throughout the attempt to take part.
Local businesses can also support the wider fundraising drive through sponsorship, raffle prizes or involvement in upcoming events.
Hoping to raise €10,000
There are still several months of training and fundraising ahead before Graham heads north of the Arctic Circle.
His target now is to reach €10,000.
“The more I’ve learned about the Irish Heart Foundation and the work they do in communities all around the country, the more motivated I’ve become to raise as much as possible,” he said.
“Knowing that the money raised will actually help people dealing with heart conditions and stroke makes every event, every bit of training and every ridiculous idea I come up with worthwhile.
“If we can get to €10,000 by the time I head to the Arctic, I’d be incredibly proud of what everyone in Drogheda and beyond helped us achieve.”
Donations can be made through Graham Brodigan’s Irish Heart Foundation fundraising page, while he will also be sharing updates on his training and fundraising on Instagram at @grahamirl_.
