Pedalling on for change
Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards in association with Westmeath County Council
Unsung Hero finalists: Declan Grogan and Ray O'Reilly
Declan Grogan and Ray O’Reilly have combined their love of cycling with a commitment to charity, and between them they’ve undertaken some fifteen overseas cycling challenges over the years and raised around €80,000 for good causes, including for the Irish Hospice Foundation.
Their fundraising journey began in 2013, with local cycling events, including a trip from Athlone to Achill Island, before progressing to overseas adventures across Europe. Their fundraising travels have taken them through Italy, Spain, France, Slovenia and Croatia, among other destinations, with some memorable journeys over famous mountain passes.
One particularly ambitious challenge in 2025 saw the Athlone duo travel five countries in five days, from Munich to Milan, cycling through Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Italy.
The Irish Hospice Foundation has been a particularly important beneficiary of Ray and Declan’s efforts, with funds supporting its Night Nurse service.
“I think one of our first ones was down to Doolin for Sub Aqua, and then we did Achill Island, for cancer research and the Hospice Foundation, for a few years,” said Declan. “When training for the overseas challenges, I would regularly cycle 50 kilometres on several mornings during the week, with more than 100 kilometres at weekends, aiming to building up to between 250 and 300 kilometres weekly, and keep the training going.”
The men also undertook a five-day cycle from Killarney to Achill Island in support of Breast Cancer Research in 2026, and they intend to continue that next year.
“An important part of the fundraising is done through collecting old batteries, including car, truck and boat batteries, which are recycled, and that makes up 75-80 percent of our fundraising, and I also run an 80s disco in the Shamrock Lodge and the Piano Bar,” said Ray. “Cycling is an integral part of our lives, and the fundraising is an important purpose for us. While we have our health we’ll continue doing it.”
Declan fundraises through cards in his barber shop, ‘Dec’s’ in Lloyd’s Lane, and online.
They currently have plans already in place for another major fundraising cycling challenge, beginning in June 2027. Their achievements are a testament to years of dedication, friendship and a willingness to put themselves through demanding physical challenges for the benefit of others.
The Unsung Hero award finalists are Doreen Holloway, Joan Larkin and Declan Grogan and Ray O'Reilly.
The Unsung Hero award is sponsored by West-Midlands Credit Union.