Waterford man to drop 200 feet for charity

A Waterford man has launched a fundraising appeal ahead of dropping 200ft down Dublin’s Smithfield Tower, in support of Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland.

Michael Craughwell will undertake his challenge on Sunday, November 2.

Mr Craughwell 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.

Belong To is the national youth organisation which provides services to LGBTQ+ young people and their families throughout the country including crisis counselling, family support and information services. It also works as a national network of LGBTQ+ youth groups, providing community, support and fun for LGBTQ+ youth in communities across the country.

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

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Craughwell said: “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," he added.

Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To, also commented on the event and 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+."

“We know through research that compared to the general youth population, LGBTQ+ youth in Ireland experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicide ideation and suicide attempts," said Moninne.

"But it doesn’t have to be this way. At Belong To, through our work with schools, youth services and public services; our advocacy work on policy; and our campaigns around online wellbeing and mental health, we can change this. 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."

Moninne also called on anyone in Waterford or elsewhere who would like to take on the challenge to visit the website to find out more and register their interest in what promises to be a thrill-seeking experience.

Donations to Michael Craughwell’s fundraising campaign are now open and can be made at: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/MC56560018 and information on registering to take part is available at: www.belongto.org/abseil