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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">The Challenge</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">On 27th August 2011, a team of nine members of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment and three members of Queen’s University Officer Training Corps will be running, cycling and paddling from Lord Ballyedmond Estate, Rostrevor to Magilligan Point, Lough Foyle.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This event will push team members of 2 R IRISH and QUOTC to their physical limits.</span></p>
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<p><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Route</span></strong></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Traversing N Ireland in a south to north format, the route of Raid the North will pass through some of N Ireland’s unspoilt rural locations- Mourne Mountains, Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coast and also through quaint villages. <span> </span>Over two days, the route will wind its way along 365km of the best cycling, paddling and running terrain N Ireland has to offer.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Day one will see the team paddling on Carlingford lough, will be running through the Mournes, cycling along deserted roads on the Ards Peninsulia<span> </span>before finishing at the shores of Islandmagee, Co Antrim.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <br /> Day two will see the team will set off on the next stage of their paddling, cycling and running challenge .The team will run through the Glens of Antrim on the Moyle Way, cycle some more great cycling trails to Ballintoy before setting off on foot along the Causeway Coast past the Giant’s Causeway. The sight of Mussenden Temple, Co Londonderry will be a welcome sight to all and with it will come a realisation that the team has completed one of the toughest multi-sport challenges in N Ireland</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">Each team member will complete the full distance. The team is hoping to raise in excess of £2,000 for their chosen charity - The Royal Irish Regiment Benevolent Fund. The charity provides much needed funding to those in need and naturally is very close to the heart of anyone who has served or has family in The Royal Irish Regiment</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">.</span></p>
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<p><strong><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Charity Fund - The Royal Irish Benevolent Fund </span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">The fund is managed by a number of Trustees still serving, retired and without R IRISH service. Those trustees who did not serve in the Regiment nonetheless have a deep attachment to the Regiment. Amongst others, some of the charitable objectives of the Fund as set out in its Trust Deed are to render aid, financial or otherwise, to members, their widows and/or dependents who are in needy circumstances or in serious difficulties (any person who has been a member of the Royal Irish Regiment or any of its predecessor regiments, whether general service, home service or territorial army, together with their dependants are eligible for assistance).</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US">Every member of the team appreciates each and every donation regardless of size so please spare anything you can. Please donate now to help us reach our goal. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit our fundraising page.</span></p>
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<p><span style="color: #000080;"><strong><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" lang="EN-US">Faugh-A-Ballagh!</span></strong></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"> </span></p>
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