A four-man team of locals will aim to cross the circumference of Ireland in under 96 hours in aid of the SOS autism services.
The four cyclists, Charlie Phillips, Pat Maher, Seamus Nash and John Dowd are doing the race around Ireland, starting this Sunday, August 27 with a view to raising as much money as they can for the Aspect Centre in SOS Kilkenny
This facility provides day and residential services for adults with autism and intellectual disabilities.
The event certainly is a challenging one.
The race around Ireland is described as an ultra distance cycling event which travels the full circumference of Ireland covering over 2000 km with a 96 hrs time allowance for a 4 man team.
The cyclists will journey past some Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Mizen Head, Wicklow Mountains and back to Moynalty in Co Meath, all inside 4 days.
Charlie Phillips admitted “We are stone mad. We are bonkers” in response to the challenge they are taking on.
“You have 96 hours to complete the route but we are hoping to do it in under 80 hours,” he said.
The team will split into two groups with each cyclist doing twenty minutes at a time. Two riders will take a rest for five hours, while the other two cycle.
“We are going to be riding through the night and over difficult terrain in Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow, all along the coast. We could come up against sinkholes in Donegal,” he said.
Due to the challenges involved, a strong back-up team is required to support the riders.
Support from Downey’s Auto-Stop in Portlaoise has been most welcome.
Asset
“We would like to thank local businessman Riichie Downey who has kindly given our team a Ford Ranger to use as our follow vehicle for the race which will be a huge asset to us in helping us meet our challenge,” said Mr Philips.
“Anyone that wishes to sponsor us and help raise much needed funds for our charity can do so by visiting the team aspect Facebook page,” he said.
You can support their fundraising efforts here.
Already a number of events have been held including a coffee morning, a cabaret and car wash to raise funds for SOS.
The day services within SOS aim to provide meaningful day options for each person with a disability that is compatible with their own needs and capacities.
The day service is located in Kilkenny City and also in Castlecomer. SOS aims to help the person to live as individual and independent life as possible within the day service environs and the community. Each individual in S.O.S is helped to identify their own personal goals, directions, dreams and aspirations.
The training programme is open to anyone who is over 16 years of age, with a mild to moderate intellectual disability.
It is aimed at anyone who has expressed an interest in extending their range of personal and practical skills, and has the stamina and motivation to take part in the course.
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