Sister of Munster rugby legend calls on people to Move for Axel in Limerick

THE SISTER of former Munster rugby player and head coach, Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley, is encouraging people to move in aid of a good cause for eight weeks, in memory of all that her brother stood for.

Move for Axel is an eight-week challenge, where people can take part virtually using the Strava app to track progress and donate online to support CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation and the Irish Rugby Charitable Trust.

There are two options - people can walk, hike, jog or run through Move for Axel, or cycle through Cycle for Axel and wheelchair users are welcome to participate.

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Anthony Foley, known as Axel to many, died on October 16, 2016, suddenly at the age of 42.

“He was so fit and full of life, he was gone all of a sudden, like flicking a light, he was just gone,” Ms Foley said of the late Munster and Ireland player.

As a holistic physiotherapist, Ms Foley sees the benefits of regular exercise and getting outside.

“I always called him Ant, but he really was an axel, we all revolved around him and even now, he’s still very present in our world. He inspired me to be a better human and in ways, I feel like he’s coaching me from above.”

Orla’s Wild Ways, which included Ms Foley cycling more than 3,000 km along the Wild Atlantic Way in 2021, aims to raise €100,000 overall.

“This is about reminding people in what can be a hard time of year, to get up, move more and not to hibernate. There is less daylight, less warmth and I’ll be doing little cycles and small walks - it’s about a consistent effort, just to get moving and to have that intention,” Ms Foley stressed, saying that it’s not about big elaborate efforts, just small, regular movements.

Participants give an initial donation of €5 via iDonate, then will be sent links to track activity. People can get involved in the Move for Axel (https://www.idonate.ie/forms/c/MoveforAxel8WeekVirtualChallengeDonate) or the Cycle for Axel (https://www.idonate.ie/forms/c/CycleforAxel8WeekVirtualChallengeDonate)

“Every kilometre logged is a tribute, every euro raised supports vital causes, and every participant helps carry Axel’s legacy forward,” Ms Foley said.