Kilkenny teachers to take 200 foot plunge for LGBTQ+ charity

Two teachers at a Kilkenny school are to abseil down one of Ireland's highest towers to raise funds for a great cause.

Kilkenny City Vocational School teachers Alisha May and Anna Mahony, have launched their fundraising appeal ahead of dropping 200ft down Dublin’s Smithfield Tower, Dublin 7 in aid of Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Anna (the secret daredevil who was born for this) and Alisha (who gets nervous on a step ladder) will join over 30 other people taking to the skies as part of the Belong To Abseil Challenge 2025, raising much needed funds for Belong To’s work with LGBTQ+ young people and their families across Ireland.  

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

The ladies are raising funds for Belong To, the national LGBTQ+ youth organisation, who provide life-saving supports and create a world where LGBTQ+ young people can thrive. "And because apparently saying “we’ll do a bake sale” wasn’t dramatic enough," the teachers explained.

"We’re doing this through our school, Kilkenny City Vocational School, as part of our final step in the Quality Mark Programme with Belong To. Basically: we’re putting our lives (and dignity) on the line for a very good cause. Sponsor us. Cheer us on. Laugh with us (or at us). Every donation helps LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, supported, and free to shine."

Belong To is a national youth organisation which provides services to LGBTQ+ young people and their families, including crisis counselling, family support and information services as well as working with a national network of LGBTQ+ youth groups, providing community, support and fun for LGBTQ+ youth.

The charity also works with schools in Kilkenny 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.

As part of their fundraising efforts, the Kilkenny teachers will hold a bake sale and a non-uniform Halloween costume day at Kilkenny City Vocational School.

TAP HERE FOR MORE WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY

Commenting today about the upcoming abseil event, Anna Mahony commented: “We’re taking part in the abseil as Alisha is challenging her fear of heights, while I love adrenaline and adventure, and am ready to take the plunge! This challenge means so much to us because we want our students to know that their teachers stand beside them. By fundraising, we hope to help create safer spaces, promote acceptance and celebrate diversity in our school community. We want our students to know they are valued, supported and never alone.”

Creating a better Ireland to grow up LGBTQ+

Also commenting was Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To who said: “We’re really grateful to Alisha and Anna for taking this challenge on. It’s no small ask – dropping almost 200ft in support of LGBTQ+ young people. It’s 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. But it doesn’t have to be this way. At Belong To, through our work with schools, our advocacy work on policy and our campaigns around online wellbeing and mental health, we can change this.

“We’re delighted to have Alisha and Anna join us in this mission.”

Donations to Alisha and Anna’s fundraising campaign are now open, and can be made at: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/Abseil_for_Belong_To/team/The_Fall_Girls

Information on registering to take part is available at: www.belongto.org/abseil