Donegal native Alana Mc Conalogue is going to be fighting for Haiti in a boxing challenge in Bahrain this month.
@caloriesandcarbs
The Fitness and Nutrition Consultant who is from Dunree, near Buncrana, is currently training to be fighting fit for a white collar match on St. Patrick’s Day to raise money for the charity ‘Haiti in our Hands’.
This challenge is many miles out of her comfort zone, but Alana has clocked up many real travel miles in her adventures abroad.
Alana has been living in the Gulf State for five years but the Irish community keeps her close ties to home strong. She works on the strength and conditioning side of the Bahrain GAA team, The Arabian Celts, and also plays for the team. She was named on the first ever Middle East Ladies’ All Star team in 2014 and has won awards through the GAA.
It is approx 3,000 miles from Donegal to Bahrain
Haiti in our Hands
Alana’s chosen charity is an organisation she is closely connected to. Her friend Joe Mc Cullagh, a Derry man, established Haiti in our Hands to empower the people of the impoverished region and directly provide aid through fundraising trips.
“I see the work he puts in and they are continuously looking for support so I couldn’t have thought of a more worthy charity to help, especially as I can see where the money goes as they do annual trips with medical staff etc. to go out there,” Alana told Donegal Woman.
The boxing event is taking place in a new boxing club in Bahrain called Lift. Alana is looking forward to having the opportunity to raise money for the charity, which is just one of the many projects she has supported over the years.
“The takings are going towards international charity for Parkinson’s, however the boxers themselves can raise money for a charity of choice, hence mine being for Haiti. Ever since I was chosen as part of a small group of 4th year students in my secondary school, (Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana), to travel to Romania for charity, I’ve really had an interest ever since.
“I’ve done a bunjee jump and skydive at home for two separate charities and am currently planning a trip to climb Kilimanjaro for a local charity here in Bahrain as well,” she said.
Alana should be well-able to show her strength during the fight, but she has admitted that boxing requires a major adjustment for her. Posting on her GoFundMe fundraising page, Alana said: “Did I mention that I’m still struggling with the part where I’ve to actually hit someone repeatedly aiming for their head? For some reason I don’t mind getting hit but struggle with hitting back part.. Yep – this’ll end well….”
Life in the Middle East
Alana moved to Bahrain to teach PE in an International School and has lived on the island kingdom for the past five years. She has been working as a Fitness and Nutrition Consultant in an Irish Medical University for the last two years as well as being an online nutrition coach with Body Type Nutrition and hosting her own personal training sessions.
Alana shares her knowledge of the health and fitness industry all over the world through her blog – CaloriesandCarbs.net
“I set up the blog/website to help people learn more about nutrition and training as opposed to just listening to the latest fads and popular diets/workouts they see in the media,” she said.
Alana keeps a close link with her family and friends at home in Donegal, and is hoping to get local support for her boxing match. She has smashed her €1,000 target already but is hoping for a final push before March 17th.
Haiti in our Hands is a charitable organisation committed to improving the lives of the people of Haiti with a holistic approach based on compassion and solidarity. The charity provides food, medicine and support for poverty and education provision to people in the country.
To support Alana, visit www.gofundme.com/alanas-fight-for-haiti
Check out Haiti-in-our-Hands on Facebook to find out more about the organisation.
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