The 2012 Galway Charity Cycle which recently saw almost 250 cyclists pedal their way from Maynooth and Galway and back, has so far managed to raise more than €130,000 in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland.
The event which took place over the course of three days, from March 24 to 26, is organised by Maynooth Past and Present Students for Charity cycling club. The group started in 1987 when Galway man Ronan Scully and 10 clerical students first made the arduous trip to Galway. The recent cycle event marked the end of a season of fundraising that began soon after Down Syndrome Ireland was elected as this year’s chosen charity last October. It is understood that the impressive sum raised from the Galway Charity Cycle will go some way to improving services and facilities at the charity’s Galway and Kildare branches.
The convoy of cyclists, accompanied by 60 support crew and collectors, left Maynooth college early on Friday, March 24, and after eight hours of cycling arrived into Eyre Square where they were greeted by the Mayor of Galway Hildegarde Naughton and lots of families involved with the Galway branch of Down Syndrome Ireland. However, the cycle did not finish there as the participants had to hop back on their bikes the following Sunday, March 26, and make the return journey back to Maynooth. Between their arrival and departure the participants managed to raise close to €17,000 from the streets of Galway alone. Delighted with the success of the event, Mr Scully praised the gardai and the people of Galway, especially in Monroe’s Live, for all their help and support both for this year and for years past.
