The MSc students in Marketing Consumption and Society successfully undertook a wide range of fundraising activities to support the Sportability Programme and raising funds to purchase equipment for Powerchair sports.  The range of events included spinathons, school programmes, quiz nights with a twist, family treasure hunts, cinema evenings and on campus activity.  The annual leadership challenge  is a feature of their programme where they raise money for Get BACk programmes as part of a marketing leadership programme.  Previous student groups have succeeded in securing employment based on their  successful involvement in the project.  Our thanks to Dr Lisa O’Malley and Ellen Fowler for their continued support.

We are delighted to announce Spin Southwest’s support for the 2012 Get BACk Challenge in their role as media partner to the event.  Tune into Spin Southwest for regular updates on the event.  They will add plenty of colour and sounds  to the day itself also.

Sports Ambassador for the Get BACk Challenge, Greg LeMond will be among those tackling the new 2012 route.  The three time Tour de France winner will cycle the 120km and 70km routes to Killaloe and will continue onwards with the 120km cyclists.  A great opportunity to cycle with one of cycling’s and sports all time legends.

You can sign can up now for the 2012 Get BACk Challenge. Event registration is €50 and participants must commit to raising a minimum of €150 each.  All participants have the opportunity to cycle with Greg LeMond and will receive a long sleeved cycling jersey, on course food and refreshments and access to the post event BBQ and entertainment in the new Sports Pavilion.

A new route for the 2012 Get BACk Challenge was revealed.  The 120km route leaves from the new Sports Pavilion in UL and will travel to Broadford, Tuamgraney and Ogonnoloe before arriving in Killaloe Ballina for a refreshment break. Participants on the 70km route will return to Limerick from Killaloe and Ballina while the 120km route travels towards Portroe via The Lookout before the return leg to Limerick via Birdhill and O’Brienbridge.

Save the Date – 30^th June for either the 120km or 70km cycle.  Departing from University Sports Pavilion and into Clare along Lough Derg crossing over into Tipperary and back to Limerick

Some of the 2011 Participants pictured with Greg LeMond in advance of the cycle.

The date for the 2012 Get BACk Challenge has being announced and will take place in Saturday June 30^th.  Once again we are delighted to welcome Sports Ambassador for the event Greg LeMond.  This year will be announce the new route at the event launch in mid March.  The event raises funds for a range of programmes supported by Get BACk and participation in the event is based on raising funds for these various programmes.

A major Club Development Seminar will take place in the South Court Hotel on Saturday 18th February. The event is run by the Limerick City and County Limerick Sports Partnerships. Attendees will have the chance to win their club one of three €1000 equipment grants simply by attending.

The Get BACk Challenge is a registered charity that raises funds to support a broad range of health and activity initiatives aimed particularly at socially disadvantaged children.  The Focus Consulting organized Get BACk Challenge is now in its sixth year of operation having started in 2006.  Since the start of the Get BACk over 7,000 children have benefitted from programmes operated through the Local Sports Partnerships including Limerick City and County

Each year a number of fundraisers including a major cycle and walk / run are organised to generate funds to support the programme. Funds raised by the Get BACk Charity are distributed under the following headings:

• Sports and Activity for children in areas of social disadvantage
• Funds to facilitate disability sports
• Programmes to tackle childhood obesity
• Contributions to home care Hospice programmes

One of the world’s best known sports figures and long time friend of the Get BACk Challenge Greg LeMond has become our first Sports Ambassador. The three time Tour de France winner and double World Champion has participated in the past four Get BACk cycling challenges to support the many programmes operated under Get BACk. During past visits to the area Greg has visited a number of sports projects in the Regeneration Areas and launched new cycle initiatives for schools.