Athlone trio 'saddle up' for charity cycle from Germany to Italy
Athlone trio Ray O'Reilly, Declan Grogan and Nigel Daly are 'saddling up' for charity as they get ready to participate in the annual Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) Cycle Challenge from this Friday, June 20, to Thursday, June 26.
Consisting of a cycle from Munich to Milan, the fundraising challenge is a 500 kilometre route taking in five countries over five days, with participants pedalling through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein before finishing by the shores of Lake Maggiore in Italy.
This is the eighth year in which Ray O'Reilly, a well-known DJ, will participate in the cycle raising funds for a cause which is close to his heart.
"We all know of family members and friends who have been impacted by cancer. One in three people are now being diagnosed with cancer so, at some stage, we will know a family member or friend who will sadly be impacted by this disease," Ray said.
Ray, Declan and Nigel will depart from Dublin for Munich on Friday morning, the trio starting their fundraising journey with a 110km cycle from the German city to Fussen on Saturday.
A 101 kilometre cycle from Fussen to the Austrian city of Bregenz awaits in Sunday, before the trio culminate the third day of their cycle in the Swiss city of Chur following a 95km route.
Day four of the cycle entails the longest one-day distance of the fundraising event, as the participants journey through the famous San Bernadino Pass on their 130 kilometre route to the Swiss city of Bellinzona, the fundraising cycle reaching its final destination of Baveno, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, on Wednesday next, June 25, before a return flight from Milan to Dublin the following day.
A long-time cyclist, Ray is looking forward to the "gruelling, but rewarding" experience and to meeting with participants with whom he has shared this particular fundraising journey on numerous occasions.
"Yes, the experience can be gruelling at times but it is ultimately rewarding and there is great camaraderie along the way," Ray said.
"There are friendships and great memories made over the course of the week as we continue to raise funds in the fight against cancer."
Ray thanked all who have sponsored his fundraising cycle to date and commended the support received from the Irish Hospice Foundation and the "fantastic team" at Cycling Safaris who plan the route and hotels, guide the groups, transport luggage, and look after all the cyclists for the duration of the trip.
The Irish Hospice Foundation Cycle Challenge is one of the national charity's largest and longest standing fundraising events. To date, over €2.4 million has been raised in support of families in Ireland facing end of life and bereavement.