THE Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle has once again broken the million mark, with the official announcement taking place that €1,265,375 was raised from this year’s event.
Official charities associated with the 35th year of the event were presented with their funds at a special reception at the INEC Killarney on Friday evening.
The cycle itself in July saw over 7,000 participants from Ireland and abroad arrive in Kerry to complete the 175KM cycle challenge around the scenic Ring of Kerry.
The 15 main beneficiaries were divided into three main groups which included Disability Support Services, Cancer and Family Support Services and Community Care.
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Amongst the beneficiaries benefiting from the funds raised this year to improve and expand their services was the Ian O’Connell Trust charity. Ian appeared on the Late Late show back in May after an accident on a bike which left him paralysed from the neck down.
Ian inspired the nation with his very own life motto “If I can’t stand up I will stand out”. The funds raised will go towards assisting Ian with his rehabilitation and help with giving him the support he needs.
Along with the fifteen main beneficiaries that received donations, there were also twenty local communities that benefited from the event.
Each of these local communities will receive a cheque of €2,000. The local communities were heavily involved in supporting, organising and volunteering for the Charity Cycle.
Cathal Walshe, PRO of the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle commented; “We are very proud to once again have broken the €1 million mark for very worthy beneficiaries that will utilise the funds raised in various ways to improve and expand services for people across all walks of life. The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle become an iconic event over the past 35 years and has gone from strength to strength. This event would not be feasible if it wasn’t for the huge support from our organisers, charities and volunteers and of course the cyclists themselves who support us year after year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2019”.
Follow the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle social media for details on how to register for the 2019 cycle www.ringofkerrycycle.ie
15 Main Charity Beneficiaries
Disability Support Services
Buy a Bus Campaign – Kerry Parent & Friends Association
Down Syndrome Ireland
Enable Ireland
Irish Kidney Association
St. Mary of the Angels (intellectual disability residential care)
Cancer & Family Support Services
Breakthrough Cancer Research
Brú Columbanus (Family accommodation for seriously ill)
Kerry Hospice Foundation
Community Care
Baile Mhuire
Caherciveen Social Services
Irish Community Rapid Response
KDYS – Kerry Diocesan Youth Service
Pieta House
St. Joseph’s Home, Killorglin
The Ian O Connell Trust
Additional local communities beneficiaries:
Abbeyfeale Search & Rescue
Ballinskelligs In Shore Rescue
Banna Inshore Rescue
Childhood Cancer Foundation
Fr Sean Myers Brazilian Fund
Friends of the Children of Chernobyl
Heartbeat Killarney
Holy Cross Day Care Centre
Holy Cross School – Autism Unit
Home from Home
Kenya Education Project
Kerry Cheshire Killarney
Kerry Mental Health, Kenmare
Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre
Kerry Respite Care
Killarney Water Rescue
Muckross Community Centre
Multiple Sclerosis South Kerry
Novas Support for the Homeless
Sean Cairde
Waterville Community First Responders