Douglas Community School Past Pupil Daragh Horgan is on his way to ski to the South Pole is in aid of the children’s charity SPARKS. This charity helps children by supporting research in paediatric medicine. The charity awards funding to research projects that are likely to have a real application in the near future. Their goal is “for all babies to be born healthy and stay health. Funds are channelled to increasing the life expectancy of premature babies and combating conditions such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

Daragh did his Leaving Certificate at Douglas Community School in 1990 and then did a BA and MA at UCC. He joined Barclays Bank in 1995 and moved to Cazenove where he was a Director. He joined Powe Capital Management as a partner some years ago.

Daragh is fit and ready for the trek to the South Pole. He is an expert skier and plays rugby for London side Old Street. Tyre dragging is the best way of preparing to pull a 70kg sledge across the Antartic ice! The sledge harness is roped up to two or more tyres, which are then dragged in training. Daragh did some of his training dragging tyres along the beach in Ardmore County Waterford. He also prepared in Iceland, practising ice and glacier climbing in preparation for the trek.

Daragh asks your support so please give generously to SPARKS children’s charity by going to the donations page at www.justgiving.com/icecold or by sending contributions to his alma mater Douglas Community School. All contributions big and small are welcome.

You can follow Daragh’s progress at www.icecoldchallenge.com

Click for more information on the expedition

Some of the DCS class of 2008 pictured at their graduation mass in May.

Some of the DCS Class of 2008

Presenting Awards Bernard Horgan, Richard Barrett, Cormac McGarry & his Sister

Cian O’Connor, who played Ralph Rickshaw in HMS Pinafore & family with Bernard Horgan

Peter Stubbs & family with Bernard Horgan

Never missed a day – David O’Connell and family with Bernard Horgan

Helpful Tadg Quilligan & Family with PE teacher Roseanne O’Callaghan

David Lynch & Family

Dressed to impress the Class of 08 – Brian McCarthy, Peter Stubbs, David Barrett, Cormac McGarry, Peter Murphy & Conor Hodnett

Over one hundred and fifty students received awards at the annual DCS Gradam na Scoile Ceremony. The awards recognised and honoured the achievements of students who have made an outstanding contribution to both the academic and sporting life of DCS. Douglas Community School proudly thanks Chief Superintendant Tony Quilter, a past pupil of DCS, who very kindly took time off from his own busy schedule to present the awards.