A two day charity cycle is destined for Westmeath next month.
Organised in memory of footballer Tomás Mulligan who died by suicide in 2007, the fourth annual Tomás Mulligan Memorial Cycle is in aid of Pieta House, the suicide crisis centre.
RTÉ sports broadcaster, Jacqui Hurley and Dublin footballers Éamon Fennell and Eoghan O’Gara helped to launch the cycle this week which will travel through Clara and Moate before finishing in Athlone on Saturday August 13 the cycle then continues on from Athlone on Sunday August 14 passing Ballymahon, Mullingar, and Kinnegad before finishing up at the GAA club in Drimnagh.
The cycle aims to raise awareness of the work carried out by Pieta House and to celebrate the lives of those lost to suicide.
The 275km route will start at Tomás’ local football club, the Good Counsel GAA Club in Drimnagh, and will make its way towards Athlone going through counties Kildare, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, and Meath before returning to Dublin. Last year over 70 cyclists took part in the cycle, raising €40,000 for Pieta House. Tomás’ father, Thomas Mulligan, hopes that more people will participate this year.
“We’re delighted to be running this cycle in Tomás’ memory for the fourth year,” he said. “The solidarity shown by Tomás’ friends and football colleagues every year reminds us that suicide is something which affects every town and village in Ireland. The cycle allows us to raise more awareness about Pieta House and actively spread the word around the country that there is help available.”
People can get involved by registering on tmcycle.pieta.ie All money raised will go directly to Pieta House. Since opening their doors in 2006 their five centres operating between Dublin and Limerick have helped 4,000 people. The demand for the services of Pieta House continues to grow.
For more information log on to www.pieta.ie
