This year’s cycle for the Irish Hospice Foundation challenges volunteer cyclists to cycle coast to coast across France, beginning in Biarritz on the Atlantic Ocean and ending in Canet Plage on the Mediterranean Sea in early July. The cycle spans 500km over five days. This year, Regina Glynn will be joined by two cycling buddies, Mary Magner from Killavullen and Bridget Barton from Glenview Terrace, Mallow.
The Cycle Challenge is the largest and longest standing fundraising event for much-needed funds for the Hospice. Since it was established in 2009, the event has raised over €2.2 million. With the funds raised, thousands of families have been cared for by the Nurses for Night Care service, as they provide over 2,000 nights of care every year. Nurses for Night Care is a free, at-home night nursing service for patients diagnosed with cancer. The nurses travel to patients’ homes to provide professional care, physical, emotional, social and spiritual support for the final nights of a patient’s life. They also bring immense comfort and relief and provide important respite and reassurance to families and relatives.
The fundraising cycle will have many challenges and is certainly not for the faint-hearted. Regina, Bridget and Mary will cycle the undulating terrain across France in the backdrop of the Pyrenees, stopping at the pilgrimage town of Lourdes. Then the brave trio will attempt to tackle the mighty Tourmalet, one of the original climbs of the Tour de France, scaling to a height of 2,115 metres. They are not sure whether they will make it, but they are determined in their mission to support the Nurses for Night Care service.
The trio are busy preparing for the challenge and undertaking a 20-week training programme. Along with this, they have been working hard organising a fundraising event in Mallow this Saturday to raise vital funds to support the work of the Hospice. They are reminded of the words of the founder of the modern hospice movement, Dame Cicely Saunders who said; “You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.”
The ladies will be generously helped by very willing volunteer collectors and fellow cyclists at a number of collection stations: Lidl, Dairygold 4 Home, Dano’s Supervalu, Bellevue, Dano’s Centra, Spa Glen, Dunnes Stores, Market Square and Main Street. Look out for the pedallers and bucket collectors clad in their yellow T-shirts.
By donating to the collection, you will significantly support the Hospice in their assistance of people facing end of life and bereavement. Regina, Mary and Bridget are extremely grateful for any support and thank everyone for the continued goodwill and donations year in year out. Regina, in particular, would like to thank you for your support as she was very ill on two occasions, when suffering from cancer. She feels that the fundraising cycles is her way of supporting and ‘giving back’ to the Hospice for the tremendous help she received.
The demand for Nurses for Night Care has doubled over the past five years and the Hospice estimates that over €1 million euro is needed to fund this very valuable service in 2024. Support the three volunteering cyclists in their endeavours on this Saturday in Mallow to make a difference to many families affected by cancer.
People can also donate via iDonate – https://www.idonate.ie/regina-mary-bridget-cycle-500km The quickest way is to search ‘Regina’ on iDonate. Many thanks for your generosity.
For further information on the fundraising cycle contact the Irish Hospice Foundation, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin 2 (D02YE06); hospicefoundation.ie; info@hospicefoundation.ie IHFCycle2024