Get on your bike and cycle Fort 2 Fort for charity

16 January 2014

Cork sporting stars Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and John Gardiner have once again got on their bikes to launch the Fort 2 Fort Charity Cycle 2014. The cycle, taking place on Sunday 6th April, will raise funds for the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Lions Clubs of Cork, and Camden Fort Meagher Restoration.

The Fort 2 Fort Charity Cycle, now in its 3rd year, has firmly established itself in the calendar of Cork’s cycling enthusiasts, offering the option of cycling 60km or a 120km loop along a spectacular route around Cork Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world. To date, 857 cyclists have participated in Fort 2 Fort, and over €40,000 has been raised for the local beneficiary charities.

This year’s Fort 2 Fort Charity Cycle kicks off at 10am on Sunday 6th April at Trabolgan Holiday Village, and will take cyclists through some of the most spectacular scenery and routes around Cork Harbour before heading towards Fort Camden in Crosshaven.

As an incentive for early birds interested in rising to the challenge, registration is just €39 for those who sign up before March 1st. It’s €45 to register any time from March 1st to April 5th, and for those who want to register on the day between 8.30am and 9.45am it’s €50. You can register online today at www.mercyfundraising.ie. Thanks to the very generous support of sponsors Ulster Bank, Victoria Cross Cycles, and DPD, all funds raised through participants will go to the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Lions Clubs of Cork, and Camden Fort Meagher Restoration.

Speaking about how funds raised will be used, Micheál Sheridan, CEO at the Mercy Hospital Foundation said “The word cancer fills many people with dread. For many, getting cancer is their number one fear, so when people hear they have cancer, they very often think the worst. We will use the funds raised through the Fort 2 Fort Cycle to develop Information Packs for newly diagnosed Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer patients.”

The Mercy University Hospital has been identified as one of the 15 hospitals in Ireland accredited to carry out screening for Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer, as part of the National Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer Screening Programme. The only other screening centres in Munster are Tralee and Clonmel. Under the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, men and women aged 60-69 will be offered a free home testing kit (a FIT test). It is expected that 95% of those people who do the test will have normal results with the remainder being referred to The Mercy Hospital for a colonoscopy. 

Micheál added “We have found that by providing similar Information Packs in recent years for men diagnosed with Prostate Cancer here at the Mercy Hospital, with clearly written information and easy to understand terminology, can help patients better understand their treatment options and the journey ahead of them. It can also help members of their family and close friends to better understand what is happening to their loved one at what is a difficult and worrying time.”

Regional Director, South, of Ulster Bank, Tom Leahy said “As main sponsor we are delighted to once again support the worthy causes that the Fort 2 Fort Charity Cycle raises funds for. It is an exciting and energetic way to raise funds for key Cork charities; and is an ideal link for our Community Support Programme and sees many of our Ulster Bank staff members take part in the cycle.”

Carrigaline Lions Club member and Fort 2 Fort organiser Sam Beamish added “This event is a joint venture between 5 local Cork Lions Clubs - Carrigaline, Cobh, Midleton, Douglas and Cork Lions Club; and reflects their involvement in activity based fundraising within the community. The Lion Clubs of Cork would like to thank all the cyclists who have supported the cause to date, and are looking forward to welcoming new cyclists this year.”

For further information or to register for the Fort 2 Fort Charity Cycle, visit www.mercyfundraising.ie or call (021) 4274076.