The Funbarr Challenge is a fundraising event established in 2020 to raise money and awareness for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Ireland (CLAPAI). The Funbarr Challenge was founded by Luke O’Mahony, who has a history of raising funds for other charity causes such as MND, Multiple Myeloma and Movemeber. Luke named the fundraising event after his son Finbarr, who was born with a cleft lip and palate. To take part in the fundraising event, an individual or a team have to come up with their own challenge and register this on the Funbarr Challenge website, after which they will receive a link to a GoFundMe account where all of the proceedings go straight to CLAPAI.

In 2020, 70 different challenges took place across 20 different countries, ranging from a 5km swim to a 1000m trek up the Pitton de la Fournaise Volcano! Last year this event took place over one weekend, however taking into account current Covid-19 restrictions, the 2021 event will takeplace over three months, from June to August.

Green Rebel are sponsoring the #TeamPrimus challenge, which will see a group of novice rowers, including founder Luke O’Mahony, train for 5 weeks and complete a row of around 35km around Cobh, Spike Island and Haulbowline Island in Cork. This challenge will incorporate the #5milesfromhome challenge for Cork Harbour Festival.

CLAPAI is a registered charity seeking to provide support to individuals and parents with children born with a cleft lip and palate. They provide advice and information on feeding and ongoing medical care throughout treatment. Most of the volunteers with CLAPAI are parents of children affected by the condition so they are able to provide a valuable perspective and practical advice to those who need it. They supply information booklets to parents and maternity hospitals and with the money raised by The Funbarr Challenge in 2020, they were able to supply every maternity hospital in Ireland with feeding equipment for children born with a cleft lip and palate.

Green Rebel are thrilled to be the official sponsors of such an important cause and they want to wish #teamprimus and all of the challengers the best of luck with their events!