Cairde Eochair: Men in Motion for Rural Wellbeing

by Cairde Eochair (Friends of Augher) in Augher, Mid Ulster, United Kingdom

Total raised £10,002

raised so far

+ est. £1150.25 Gift Aid

27

supporters

Getting more rural men across Clogher Valley active through fitness, walking outdoors, and exercise, promoting health & overall wellbeing

by Cairde Eochair (Friends of Augher) in Augher, Mid Ulster, United Kingdom

We're still collecting donations

On the 12th February 2025 we'd raised £10,002 with 27 supporters in 28 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.

Who are we?

Cairde Eochair is a rural charity based across the Clogher Valley, set up to promote the benefit of the rural residents across our community.

We do this by the promotion of all community initiatives, language and culture, through assistance with participation in health and wellbeing, Scor na nOg and Scor programmes, with the object of improving the conditions of life for people living in our rural community. We have a strong community engagement track record, collaborating and working regularly with over 15 other local community groups to ensure our rural community are supported. 

The purpose of our charitable organisation is to work in collaboration with the entire rural community across Clogher Valley to provide the following services / opportunities for rural residents- 

- Provide regular community activities and programmes for social interaction. 

- Promote the preservation and protection of residents’ health and well-being through our community programmes and initiatives. 

- Arrange demonstrations, skills sessions and masterclasses for our community that allow rural residents to learn new skills and broaden their educational development. 

- Enable participation in local community-based projects that promote cohesion and cross generational activities. 

- Facilitate a range of activities that promotes self-worth and reduces rising levels of social isolation and promotes inclusion through our community activities. 

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Why are we crowdfunding?

We are Crowdfunding to deliver a new 8-week rural men's health and wellbeing programme, up until March 2025. More specifically, we are fundraising to deliver a new healthy community initiative for men who are inactive, busy working, have busy family lives and those who may not have been involved much in sports before. 

We want to get more men active in our rural community across Clogher, Fivemiletown and Augher, and our project is a new programme we will run through to the end of March. All funds raised will allow us to deliver the following for 40+ men living across rural Clogher Valley:

Week 1: Introduction & Baseline Assessments

  • Welcome session to outline the programme.
  • Health checks: BMI, blood pressure, and fitness baseline.
  • Guided walk in Knockmany Forest.

Week 2: Fitness Fundamentals

  • Introduction to strength training using basic gym equipment.
  • Workshop: “The Benefits of Staying Active for Rural Men.”

Week 3: Cardio & Forest Walk

  • Light cardio session using local gym and indoor facilities.
  • Group forest walk in Favor Royal Forest, exploring mindfulness in nature.

Week 4: Healthy Eating & Hydration

  • Workshop: "Nutrition for Active Living."
  • Cooking demonstration and shared meal.

Week 5: Strength & Conditioning

  • Gym session focusing on strength-building exercises.
  • Workshop: "Preventing Injuries and Building Resilience."

Week 6: Mental Wellbeing & Fitness

  • Fitness class combining cardio and bodyweight exercises.
  • Workshop: "Managing Stress and Prioritising Mental Health."

Week 7: Social Walk & Peer Support

  • Guided community walk with refreshments afterward.
  • Peer-led discussion on challenges and motivation.

Week 8: Celebration & Next Steps

  • Fitness reassessment to track progress.
  • Celebration event with certificates of participation.
  • Discussion on maintaining activity levels post-programme.

This programme combines fitness, health education, and community-building activities to support long-term wellbeing for rural men living across the Clogher Valley.

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How we’ll spend the money raised

All money raised will go towards delivering this rural men's fitness programme over 8 weeks. If we raise £5,000 Sport NI will add £5,000. 

As a charity, we can claim back 25% on every eligible donation, so remember to click that gift aid box when donating (if relevant to you).

Funding will specifically be used for the following:

1. Gym Equipment Purchase – £4,000 (40%)

  • Free weights, resistance bands, and 40 kettlebells @ £1,500
  • 2 Benches, mats, and additional free weights @ £2,500.

(Equipment will remain as a long-term resource for community use).

2. Programme Delivery by Level Up Gym – £4,000 (40%)

  • Professional gym instructors for 3 fitness sessions per week in person, and forest wellbeing sessions over 8 weeks £2,500 (to include 8 weeks gym use per participant).
  • 3 workshops tailored to men’s health and fitness £1,000.
  • Customized training plans for participants £500

3. Healthy Refreshments for 40+ Participants – £1,200

  • Light meals/snacks (fruit, protein bars, and water) for 8 weeks.
  • Estimated cost: £3 per participant per session x 8 sessions.

4. Facility Hire (6 Hours/Week for 8 Weeks) – £800 (8%)

  • Use of indoor gym and community spaces for sessions.
  • Estimated cost: £16/hour x 6 hours/week x 8 weeks.

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Community impact

Our project aligns with Sport NI's Creating Opportunities programme, as it addresses key objectives and target groups identified in the initiative. For example:

Levelling the Playing Field
Our programme is designed to engage rural men in the Clogher Valley, a group often underrepresented in structured fitness and health activities. By providing a tailored 8-week initiative 6+ hours per week, we will break down barriers to participation, such as limited access to facilities, social isolation, and lack of specialised programming. This project empowers rural men to become active participants in their health and wellbeing, leveling the playing field in sport and fitness opportunities.

Connecting Rural Communities
We will use local forest trails, Knockmany and Favor Royal, and gym facilities, creating a sense of connection among participants and fostering community spirit. The programme encourages collaboration among men who often might not speak, shared experiences, and peer support, bringing people together and strengthening bonds within the rural community.

Innovative and Additional Programming
This initiative introduces a brand-new programme to the Clogher Valley for men, incorporating specialised fitness coaching, fitness & health workshops, and access to new gym equipment. This is not a continuation of existing activities but a fresh, targeted approach to engage rural men in structured physical activity in the new year for the first time, addressing both physical and mental health needs.

Targeting Sport NI’s Key Groups
Our focus on rural men directly aligns with Sport NI’s target groups, including people living in rural areas and older men (65+). Through fitness & health workshops and accessible fitness sessions, we ensure inclusion and participation, particularly for those traditionally excluded from similar opportunities.

Building Resilience in the Sporting Sector
By partnering with Level Up Gym, we’re introducing professional expertise to the community, enhancing the local capacity to deliver high-quality fitness programmes. Gym membership as part of this programme will also ensure longer term sustainability. Additionally, the investment in gym equipment ensures a sustainable resource for future initiatives, benefiting the community beyond the 8-week programme.

Demonstrating Impact and Sustainability
We’ve built measurable outcomes into the project, including baseline health assessments, participation numbers, and progress tracking. This not only aligns with Sport NI’s focus on accountability but also helps us build a case for continued investment in health and fitness initiatives in rural areas such as the Clogher Valley of Clogher, Fivemiletown and Augher. Furthermore, by purchasing gym equipment, we ensure the legacy of this project, allowing ongoing use by the community.

Addressing Local Needs
The Clogher Valley is a rural area with limited access to fitness facilities and structured health initiatives. By delivering this programme, we are directly addressing the needs of the local population, identified through community consultation and engagement, and ensuring that Sport NI’s goals of inclusion and accessibility are met.

This project embodies the spirit of the Creating Opportunities programme, delivering meaningful change, addressing underrepresentation, and creating long-term opportunities for rural men to lead healthier, more active lives in Clogher Valley. We are confident that this initiative will be a powerful example of the impact of our Crowdfunding, your support and Sport NI’s match funding can have on small, rural communities.

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How you can play your part

There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.

1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!

2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.

3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!

4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!

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Rewards

This project offered rewards

£10 or more

£10 Reward

Brew & Bia Cafe Voucher

£15 or more

£15 Reward

Spar Augher Voucher

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