The ‘Mayo Ultra-Cyclists’ are set to take on the unenviable task of cycling 1,900km – through 32 counties – all in six days to raise funds for worthy charitable causes…with things set to kick off this weekend.

AgriLand, which is a sponsor of the fundraiser, will provide live updates over the course of the next week to keep people up-to-date with how the group is getting on.

Mayo Ultra-Cyclists

The Mayo Ultra-Cyclists is a group of adventure cyclists who take on an ultra-cycling challenge for charity every year.

Since 2016, they have completed 4,823km over four different cycles in just 12 days in five different countries and in the process have raised an incredible €88,000 for various local charities.

More recent cycles have been the 2,000km trek from Lourdes to Knock in June 2019 and the 1,600km from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in June 2018.

Tomorrow, Sunday, August 16, this group is set to undertake the enormous challenge of cycling 1,900km through the 32 counties of Ireland from start to finish – all within six days – and in memory of James Alexander Moore, who was cared for in CHI at Temple Street.

They will start in Mayo and cycle clockwise through every county – a staggering 320km per day.

Whilst doing this tough six-day, 1,900km ‘ultra cycling’ challenge, they will use the opportunity to raise some much-needed funds for four charities:
  • Temple Street Foundation;
  • Down Syndrome Ireland West;
  • Mayo Roscommon Hospice;
  • Turn2me.ie

The event is self-financed by all the cyclists and all of the proceeds collected will go directly to this year’s four chosen charities.

‘Huge challenge’

Commenting ahead of the feat, Alan Heaney, of Mayo Ultra-Cyclists, said: “Over the past three months, we have spent hours cycling the roads of Mayo, Galway and Sligo getting the long miles in.

“Typical training sessions entail 75-150km spins – early in the morning and late in the evening. We do this three times per week to condition the bodies and build up miles in the legs.

“While we are in pretty good shape physically, the 1,900km charity cycle over six days will be a huge challenge. This is our sixth charity ‘ultra-cycle’ and we are really looking forward to it,” he added.

Denise Fitzgerald, chief executive of Temple Street Foundation, said:

The funds will be put to use in CHI at Temple Street where they are needed most – from funding vital, life-saving equipment and providing essential patient and parental supports to making ground-breaking paediatric research possible.

“On behalf of all the patients, families and staff of the hospital, thank you to everyone involved for your wonderful support.”

‘Vital’

Deirdre Saul, interim CEO of Down Syndrome Ireland, said: “Money raised will help us build a dedicated Down Syndrome centre and fully accessible playground in Swinford, Co. Mayo, which will directly support children and adults with Down Syndrome in the wider western region.”

Martina Jennings, CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, added: “These types of events are vital to us, as we continue to fund our palliative care service in the two counties and also progress with construction on our Roscommon Hospice, which will be completed next year.

The funds raised from this 32-county challenge will go specifically towards our Roscommon Hospice, which will be a state-of-the-art, eight-bed inpatient unit, with full day-care facilities.

Diarmuid Scollard, co-founder of Turn2me.ie, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the Mayo Ultra-Cyclists as one of the charity partners for this year’s event.

“At a time when our services have seen a dramatic increase, we very much welcome this much-needed donation.

Turn2me provides accessible professional online mental health services to adults and young people over 12. It will greatly help us help others in this challenging time.

Simon and Heather Moore – parents of James, in whose memory the event is being held – said:

“As a family, we are very appreciative of the love, care and attention we received in Temple Street from everyone including the nurses, porters, physios, occupational therapists, doctors…

“There are many people in Temple Street who were very special to James. He had huge plans and ambitions to fundraise for the hospital and had planned a tractor run, which unfortunately did not happen due to Covid-19.

Our son James recently passed away and we want to make his plans a reality and help fundraise through this great initiative.

The group has set up an online fundraising page and are asking people to spread the word far and wide and share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as any small contribution will be greatly appreciated.

A landing page for the event has also been set up, enabling people to keep up-to-date with the event here.