The current Rose of Tralee, Charmaine Kenny, has confirmed that she will launch the Cork to Kilkenny cycle at MacDonagh Junction on Saturday April 10 from 2- 4pm.
The Cork to Kilkenny Cycle takes place on June 5 and 6 and is in aid of Chernobyl children.
Ms Kenny recently visited Vesnova Children’s mental asylum in Belarus with Adi Roche, founder of The Chernobyl Children’s Project International, and was deeply moved by what she saw.
“The life-saving projects I visited this week opened my eyes and my heart to the many children who benefit from the work of CCPI and the selfless work of the volunteers make a huge difference to these children's lives,” she said during her recent visit to the facility.
Last year building groups from all over Ireland, including men and women from Kilkenny, made history in Belarus by building the first ever semi-independent houses for boys with intellectual disabilities. This has never been done before and it prevented them from having to move to an adult mental asylum.
This year the project’s goal is to repeat the project to facilitate houses for girls and stop them from being moved on to this adult asylum at the end of a road, where it really is the end of their road.
In 2009 over €40,000 was raised from the hard work and sweat of all the cyclists who braved the journey from Cork to Kilkenny and everyone who supported them. These funds were sent to Cork late last year and the Kilkenny Outreach Group allocated that money to fund the houses for the girls which are expected to cost up to €200,000.
Along with other outreach groups from around the country the money has now been raised, plans drawn and building teams from all over Ireland are ready to go out to build the houses.
“Anyone that contributed in any way has given these adults light; you have given them hope to live,” said Andrea Keogh, PRO Kilkenny Outreach Group. “We the Kilkenny Outreach Group invite you to come and join us at MacDonagh Junction on Saturday April 10 from 2 - 4pm for the launch party of the Cork to Kilkenny Cycle.
“The afternoon will see special guest Charmaine Kenny and Kilkenny hurlers Michael Rice, Jackie Tyrell and Eoin Larkin along with music from All Ireland Talent Show finalists, Na Fianna.
“The Cork to Kilkenny Cycle takes place on June 5 and 6 of June. If anyone would like to take part, contact Jim Kavanagh on 087 2805059 or log onto www.kilkennycycle.com”
