A group of 14 cyclists from all around Laois recently made the long journey from Mizen Head to Malin Head to raise money for the Mater Hospital Foundation.
The charity cycle was organised by Mark White from Durrow, with a GoFundMe page set up and a target set at €10,000.
That goal has long since been surpassed and has reached almost double that figure, with close to €18,500 now raised from well over 200 donations.
The Malin to Mizen journey is the traversal of the whole length of Ireland and is a popular route often attempted by cyclists and walkers in an effort to raise money for charities.
The 14 Laois cyclists followed one of the most scenic routes available and covered almost 650km on the following four-day pilgrimage:
- Mizen Head to Charlsville – Tuesday – 157km;
- Charlesville to Oranmore – Wednesday – 148km;
- Oranmore to Bundoran – Thursday – 176km;
- Bundoran to Malin Head – Friday – 158km.
In organising the cycle, Mr White, said: “It’s a scary time at the moment, People are just passing away with no warning and leaving many families devasted.
“People we know have died in the last year alone and others in our area from cardiac issues.
“We wanted to do something to help raise awareness and encourage people to get regular checks when they can. I feel like more can be done.”
Each week in Ireland, one person under the age of 35 passes away from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndromes (SADS).
The Mater Hospital’s Family Heart Screening Clinic screens families at risk of these inherited genetic conditions.
The clinic was set up with funding from the Mater Hospital Foundation to help families, many of whom sadly only become aware they may be at risk after losing a family member.
The presentation of the cheque to representatives from the Mater Hospital is this Friday, August 8, at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.
Tge 14 who made were Mark White, Sonya Ryan, James Campion, Audrey Fitzpatrick, Julie Morris, Donie Walsh, Padraig Phelan, Paddy Duff, Geraldine Kiel, Beatrice Bentley, Patricia Bergin, Sarah Palmer, Lisa Kavanagh and Mike Grogan.
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