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One Little Girl, 25 Friends, 17 Charities & 12 Hours of HELL & BACK
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Friends of Tuiren prepare to take on the ultimate endurance challenge after raising more than €50,000 for the charities that have supported her family.
On Saturday 19th September a team of 25 friends and family members will come together at Killruddery Estate in Co. Wicklow to take on an extraordinary challenge for one little girl who has inspired them all. The Friends of Tuiren team will take part in HELL & BACK ENDURE, a gruelling 12-hour endurance challenge that will see participants tackle a 5km obstacle course every hour, on the hour. If they fail to complete a lap before the next hour begins, their challenge is over.
But for these 25 participants this is about much more than seeing how far they can push themselves. They are taking on the challenge in honour of Tuiren Phelan and to raise vital funds and awareness for 17 charities that have supported Tuiren, her family and countless other children and families facing serious illness. With more than €50,000 already raised, the group is hoping their efforts will help these organisations continue providing the care and support that makes such a difference when families need it most.
For the Phelan family from Gortnahoe, Co. Tipperary, life changed completely in January 2023 when their daughter Tuiren, then just 18 months old, was diagnosed with a high grade, aggressive neuroepithelial cancerous brain tumour. Her diagnosis has completely changed the lives of her parents, Deirdre and Patrick, and her siblings, Lochlainn and Neala.
Over the past four years, Tuiren and her family have faced more than any family should have to suffer. Tuiren has undergone numerous brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, blood and platelet transfusions, extended hospital stays, rehabilitation and specialist therapies. The family has also travelled abroad for treatment and spent long periods apart including time in intensive care. In 2025, they received the devastating news that Tuiren's illness was terminal.
Throughout it all, charities and support organisations such as Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, Keeley D Foundation, Laura Lynn, Oscar’s Kids and Make-A-Wish have been there for the Phelan family in so many different ways. They have provided practical and financial support, specialist care and counselling while also helping create precious moments of joy for Tuiren and her family during the most difficult of times.
Friends of Tuiren was established by the family's friends and loved ones as a way of saying thank you and giving something back. Now, 25 of them are preparing to put their own endurance to the test.
HELL & BACK ENDURE is a new 12-hour challenge taking place at Killruddery Estate on 19th September, with participants facing the same demanding 5km obstacle course every hour for 12 consecutive hours. The challenge is less about speed and more about stamina, resilience and finding a way to keep going when the going gets tough. For Friends of Tuiren there could hardly be a more fitting reason to endure.
“Over the past four years, our family has been supported by so many incredible people and organisations often when we didn't know where to turn.” says Patrick Phelan “The charities we're fundraising for have helped us in so many different ways and have been there for us when we needed them most. Friends of Tuiren was set up as a way of giving something back and saying thank you. Seeing 25 of our friends and family take on this challenge means so much to us. We know it will be tough, but we hope that by doing it together we can raise more awareness and funds to help these charities continue supporting other families like ours.”
The wider fundraising effort will also be supported by a team of four cyclists taking on a 170km journey from Thurles to Killruddery on Friday 18th September in support of the charity Féileacáin, close to the hearts of friends of the family who sadly lost their son Caelan earlier this year. The Cycle for Caelan team will then be on hand to cheer on and support the Friends of Tuiren participants as they take on the HELL & BACK ENDURE challenge the following day.
As the countdown begins, Friends of Tuiren are hoping that their story will help shine a light on the incredible work carried out by charities supporting children and families through some of life's most difficult moments. While the team prepares for 12 difficult hours at HELL & BACK, they know they are doing it for something far bigger than the finish line.
“HELL & BACK is all about challenging yourself and finding out what you're capable of, but it's stories like this that remind us that there's often a much bigger reason behind taking on a challenge.” says Michael McElligott, Commercial Manager of HELL & BACK “What Patrick, his family and the Friends of Tuiren team are doing is incredibly special and we're honoured to welcome them to ENDURE this September. The support they have already received and the amount they have raised is a testament to the incredible community around Tuiren and her family. We’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.”
For Jimmy Norman, co-founder of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, the support of groups like Friends of Tuiren is a reminder of the difference that community can make to families facing childhood cancer.
“When a child is diagnosed with cancer the whole family is affected and there are so many things to deal with that you never expected.” says Jimmy “That's why support from people and organisations who understand what families are going through can make such a difference. We’re very grateful to Friends of Tuiren for choosing to support Aoibheann’s Pink Tie alongside the other charities involved. What they’re taking on at HELL & BACK is a huge challenge and we hope they know how much their efforts will mean to the families we support.”
To support Friends of Tuiren and find out more about their fundraising efforts please see links below:
Friends of Tuiren ENDURE Event Fundraising Page: https://www.idonate.ie/event/friendsoftuiren
Cycle for Caelan Fundraising Page: https://www.idonate.ie/event/cycleforcaelan
To register for HELL & BACK ENDURE: H&B ENDURE 12 Hour Challenge
Friends of Tuiren/Cycle for Caelan are fundraising for the following charities:
1 Jack and Jill Children's Foundation
2 Family Carers Ireland
3 Childhood Cancer Ireland
4 Laura Lynn
5 Acquired Brain Injury Ireland
6 Children's Health Foundation
7 Gavin Glynn Foundation
8 Ronald McDonald House
9 Aoibheann's Pink Tie
10 Keeley D Foundation
11 Oscars Kids
12 North Tipperary Hospice
13 Make A Wish
15 Little Blue Heroes
16 Cliona's
17 Cara Curley Fund
