Cork Hotel Teams Up With Cancer Research Charity for 310,000-Step March Challenge

Two of Ireland's leading luxury hotels have kicked off a year-long charity partnership with a step challenge that, if Cork's March weather cooperates, will be quite the undertaking.

The Montenotte in Cork City and The Wilder Townhouse in Dublin have officially launched their 2026 charity partnership with Breakthrough Cancer Research, beginning with an ambitious "310K Steps in March Challenge" that gets underway this month.

At least 20 team members across both properties will each commit to walking or running a minimum of 310,000 steps throughout March, collectively completing millions of steps in support of life-saving cancer research.

The initiative marks the first in a year-long programme of fundraising activities planned across both hotels.

Breakthrough Cancer Research is one of Ireland's largest funders of cancer research, currently supporting over 200 researchers across the island. The charity focuses on developing new treatments and diagnostics, with a particular emphasis on cancers that are difficult to treat, including brain, oesophageal, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian, liver and lung cancers. Together, these seven cancers account for almost 50% of cancer deaths in Ireland.

Frits Potgieter, CEO of The Montenotte Hotel and The Wilder Townhouse, said:

"We are incredibly proud to announce Breakthrough Cancer Research as our charity partner for 2026. Cancer has touched so many lives within our own teams, our families and our wider communities. Supporting a charity that is focused on funding critical research, particularly into cancers with poor prognosis, is something that truly resonates with us."

He added:

"The 310K Steps in March Challenge is a powerful way to begin this partnership, uniting our teams with a shared sense of purpose and commitment. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a meaningful and impactful year of fundraising as we work together to help make more survivors."

Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, said:

"We are so grateful to The Montenotte and The Wilder Townhouse for choosing to partner with Breakthrough Cancer Research in 2026. When businesses step forward in this way, it creates real momentum for research and real hope for people with cancer and their families."

She continued: "Partnerships like this do more than raise vital funds. They connect communities to the science that is changing outcomes and helping to create new, better, kinder and smarter treatments for cancers that urgently need them."

Guests, partners and members of the public are encouraged to support the teams' efforts throughout March. Further fundraising events and initiatives will be announced at both properties across the year.