Local Kayakers take on World-First Expedition for Cancer Fund for Children

Connacht locals Johnny Coyne and Liam Cotter are taking on the mammoth challenge of kayaking from Dublin to Istanbul in aid of children’s cancer charity, Cancer Fund for Children.

Coyne and Cotter will begin their five-month expedition on Thursday 5^th September, on the River Liffey at St. Patrick’s Rowing Club, Dublin, before kayaking through 16 countries to reach the Turkish city.

Johnny has been organising this world-first expedition for quite some time:

“I have spent the last 18 months planning out this route. We will pass through 16 countries altogether. We’ll begin by crossing the Irish Sea and English Channel, and then follow multiple rivers and canals all the way through Europe to the Black Sea, finishing in Istanbul.”

“This journey is going to be tough, but when I think about Cancer Fund for Children and what all the kids and families go through, it won’t be anything compared to what they go through.”

Cancer Fund for Children provides emotional, social and therapeutic support to children and young people living with cancer across the island of Ireland. This support is provided in the hospital, at home, in the community and at the short-break therapeutic centre, Daisy Lodge in Newcastle, Co. Down. Plans are already underway for a second Daisy Lodge centre to be built in Cong, Co. Mayo, with construction commencing later in the year. Cancer Fund for Children hope to officially open Daisy Lodge, Cong in Spring 2026.

The construction of Daisy Lodge, Cong, is of particular interest to Johnny, who is local to the area:

“We chose to raise money for Cancer Fund for Children as it’s an amazing cause. But also, because their second Daisy Lodge therapeutic centre will be built nearby on the shore of Lough Corrib. Lough Corrib is my home, my pride and my joy. Supporting local is important to me, and of course this is going to be an amazing and well-needed place.”

You can sponsor Johnny and Liam’s kayaking journey here.