Athlone man to abseil 200ft in support of national LGBTQ+ youth charity

Athlone man Michael Craughwell is preparing to abseil 200ft down Dublin’s Smithfield Tower, Dublin 7 in aid of Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland on Sunday, 2 November.

Michael will join over 30 other people taking to the skies as part of the Belong To Abseil Challenge 2025 to raise much needed funds for the charity’s work with LGBTQ+ young people and their families across Ireland.

Speaking ahead of the abseil event, Michael said his own experiences with homophobia growing up inspired him to get involved in the fundraiser.

“When I was in secondary school, homophobia and homophobic bullying were rampant and all-pervasive. Every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to be celebrated, to be safe and to thrive.

"That’s why I’m supporting Belong To and their life-changing and life-saving work to give Ireland’s LGBTQ+ Young People the experience they deserve, at school or college, at home and beyond.”

Belong To is the national youth organisation which provides services to LGBTQ+ young people and their families across Ireland, including crisis counselling, family support and information services.

The charity also works with schools across Ireland through the Stand Up Awareness Week anti-bullying campaign, as well as running the in-depth, 18-month LGBTQ+ Quality Programme with schools and Youthreach centres to foster LGBTQ+ inclusion and wellbeing.

Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To who said: “We’re really grateful to Michael for taking this challenge on. It’s no small ask, and is a real testament to their commitment to creating a better Ireland to grow up LGBTQ+.

“At Belong To, we’re working hard to shape an Ireland where young LGBTQ+ people are safe to shine. This is the work that Michael is supporting and we’re so grateful to them, and to all who support their fundraising efforts.

“I would also call on anyone in Westmeath or elsewhere who would like to take on the challenge to visit our website to find out more and register your interest in this trilling-seeking experience, in aid of LGBTQ+ youth.”

Donations to Michael Craughwell’s fundraising campaign are now open, and can be made at: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/MC56560018

Information on registering to take part is available at: www.belongto.org/abseil