Pedal Power as Tour de Munster raises over half a million for the Munster Branches of Down Syndrome Ireland

Pedal Power as Tour de Munster raises over half a million for the Munster Branches of Down Syndrome Ireland

22 November 2021

2021 will certainly be a year to remember for Tour de Munster, not only as the Tour celebrated its 21st edition, but also raising a phenomenal €522,201-  its largest sum to date for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland.

 

The grand total was revealed at a cheque presentation on Saturday, November 20th with cycling legend and long term supporter of the Tour, Sean Kelly, presenting the cheque. Since the tour began in 2001, over €3.9 Million has been raised for charity with over €3 million raised for the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland. 

 

Funds raised as a result of Tour de Munster play a significant role across each Munster branch of Down Syndrome Ireland who provide a range of vital supports and services to children and adults with Down syndrome and their families. 

 

In their quest to raise vital funds and awareness, this year’s Tour saw over 150 amateur cyclists make their way across the six counties of Munster, travelling over 600km from August 5th - 8th, supported by friends, family members and many volunteers along the way.
 

Sean Kelly, who celebrated his 16th Tour de Munster, once again led the 150 cyclists through the beautiful towns and villages of Cork, Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare and Kerry, covering an average of 150 km per day.
 

Paul Sheridan, who established Tour de Munster in 2001, was once again amazed by the magnificent support the Tour received again this year. Speaking at the cheque presentation, Paul said “I am so proud of everyone involved in this year’s Tour de Munster. We are over the moon to have raised such a phenomenal sum of €522,201 which will go a very long way in supporting the fantastic work carried out on a daily basis by the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland. None of this would have been possible without the huge dedication and efforts made by cyclists, volunteers and supporters. We are very grateful to the many companies and the public who have supported the Tour in the past 21 years, in particular this year’s main sponsors u-blox and UPS for their continued support.”

 

Thanking all those who supported Tour de Munster this year,  Catherine Cleary Chairperson of Down Syndrome Tipperary said “I’d like to give a huge thank you to all involved for their incredible hard work and dedication over the past year. The tremendous fundraising efforts and awareness campaign improves the lives of so many children and adults with Down syndrome, and it’s what makes Tour de Munster so special year after year. Tour de Munster really is an amazing experience and so many friendships have been formed between the organisation, the families, cyclists and volunteers. We really can’t express our thanks and gratitude enough.”
 

Special thanks were also given to this year’s media partners - The Irish Examiner, Clare FM, Tipp FM, WLR FM, Red FM, SPIN South West and Pure Radio.

 

For more information on Tour de Munster and DSI log onto www.tourdemunster.com and www.downsyndrome.ie.