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Cycling legend Sean Kelly pictured with Enda, Jill and their son Hugh O’Brien from Tralee at the official cheque presentation of the 21st annual Tour de Munster charity cycle on Saturday, 20th November. Photo: Diane Cusack
THE Tour de Munster raised a phenomenal €522,201 — its largest sum to date — for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland.
The grand total was revealed at a cheque presentation on Saturday, November 20th with cycling legend and long term supporter of the Tour, Sean Kelly, presenting the cheque.
Since the tour began in 2001, over €3.9 Million has been raised for charity with over €3 million raised for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland.
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Funds raised as a result of Tour de Munster play a significant role across each Munster branch of Down Syndrome Ireland who provide a range of vital supports and services to children and adults with Down syndrome and their families.
In their quest to raise vital funds and awareness, this year’s Tour saw over 150 amateur cyclists make their way across the six counties of Munster, travelling over 600km from August 5th – 8th, supported by friends, family members and many volunteers along the way.
Sean Kelly, who celebrated his 16th Tour de Munster, once again led the 150 cyclists through the beautiful towns and villages of Cork, Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and Kerry, covering an average of 150 km per day.
Paul Sheridan, who established Tour de Munster in 2001, was once again amazed by the magnificent support the Tour received again this year.
Speaking at the cheque presentation, Paul said; “I am so proud of everyone involved in this year’s Tour de Munster. We are over the moon to have raised such a phenomenal sum of €522,201 which will go a very long way in supporting the fantastic work carried out on a daily basis by the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland. None of this would have been possible without the huge dedication and efforts made by cyclists, volunteers and supporters. We are very grateful to the many companies and the public who have supported the Tour in the past 21 years, in particular this year’s main sponsors u-blox and UPS for their continued support.”
Enda O’Brien of Down Syndrome Kerry said, “Thanks to the continued support of Tour de Munster over the past twelve years, much-needed funds have been raised to continue to provide vital services and supports for our members with Down syndrome in Kerry. We are extremely grateful for every single person’s support, from the cyclists to the volunteers and the public. Special thanks also goes to the tour’s Kerry sponsors for their fantastic support. Congratulations and well done to everyone involved, the sum raised is astonishing and we can’t thank you enough for your hard work and dedication.”
Special thanks were also given to this year’s media partners – The Irish Examiner, Clare FM, Tipp FM, WLR FM, Red FM, SPIN South West and Pure Radio.
