Radio Kerry Ring of Kerry Cycle 2009: Chosen Charities Gather for Call of Support

22 May 2009

With just over six weeks to go until the 26th annual Radio Kerry Ring of Kerry Cycle, the six Kerry charities who will be the beneficiaries of this year's cycle met at Radio Kerry's Head Office in Tralee to send out a joint message on the Charity Cycle.  The event, which is the biggest one day charity fundraising event in Munster, raises vital funds for Kerry Based Charities who provide vital services for people in need in the Kerry area.  The six chosen charities are as follows:-

• Rockmount Alzheimer Daycare Centre
• Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre
• Irish Society for Autism - Kerry Branch
• Footsteps Down Syndrome
• Rathmore Social Action Group
• Order of Malta Ireland - Killarney Branch

At yesterday's gathering, a call went out for more participants to take part in the 112 mile leisure cycle around the picturesque Ring of Kerry, which takes place on Saturday 4th July.  Also, as a reminder of what the cycle is hoping to achieve.  Cathal Walshe, PRO of the Organising Committee stated "Now more than ever Kerry Charities need our support and anyone can help by sponsoring cyclists who are taking part or perhaps by taking part themselves.  As the evenings are getting longer, more and more people are getting outside to exercise on their bikes and have decided to sign up for the Charity Cycle.  There has been a steady stream of people signing up each week and we hope that this will continue at a strong rate." Cathal's message to people who are interested in sponsoring the cyclists is "Please be as generous as you possibly can when sponsoring a cyclist, as every cent collected will go directly to the Charities, also people can donate directly by contacting us through the website or by phone."

To date the Ring of Kerry Cycle has raised over €3 million for Kerry Charities and to support this massive fundraising initiative the Radio Kerry Community Fund, a fund that was set up by Radio Kerry to raise money for Kerry Community and Charity projects, has come on board this year as the event sponsor.  Melanie O'Sullivan, Sales & Marketing Manager for Radio Kerry, who was also present at yesterdays gathering, stated "Over the past six weeks we have featured all of the charities on the Kerry Today Show with John Greene and the feedback we received from listeners has been great.  Just another way for us to support such worthy causes.  In addition to this, two of our colleagues Joe O'Mahony and Andrew Morrissey have decided to participate and are busy getting their own sponsorship cards filled!!"

Further information on all of the Charities can be found on the Radio Kerry Ring of Kerry Cycle - www.ringofkerrycycle.ie.  The website also contains Hints and Tips for people wishing to participate as well as a month by month training schedule provided by Olympian and Killarney native Gillian O'Sullivan,  who is very familiar with the event as she has participated in the cycle before. 

For people interested in participating in the actual cycle and fundraising for these Kerry Charities, registration forms are available on the website.  Postal Applications can be sent to The Radio Kerry Ring of Kerry Cycle, PO Box 115, Killarney Post Office, New Street, Killarney.  Enquiries can also be made by phone to (064) 6671900.  Anyone wishing to make a direct donation can also do so by using these contacts.