Cyclists taking on Dublin to Mayo charity challenge this weekend

A GROUP of dedicated cyclists are mounting a gruelling 240 km challenge from Dublin to Castlebar for charity this weekend.

The Uniphar West End Tour aims to raise €80,000 in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice.

The West End Tour will see 30 amateur cyclists, mostly from Mayo, taking part in this epic one-day cross-country event, and it’s estimated it will require over 3.5 million bike wheel revolutions by the group in just the one day to deliver on the challenge.

Belcarra native Ger Prendergast, who is leading the cycle, says it’s been a lifetime ambition to cross Ireland in one day from Dublin to Castlebar: “We have wanted to do an event for a local charity for a long time and we’re all avid cyclists so this seems like the right fit - a one-day cross-country challenge in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice.

“We couldn’t attempt this seven county challenge without the great support of Uniphar plc and its CEO, Castlebar man Ger Rabbette, who has been one of the main drivers behind the West End Tour.

“We will be asking people to support us on the day - donations can be made via the link here or via the Mayo Roscommon donations page. We are making good progress towards our €80,000 targets but we will need the public’s support if we are to get there. It’s a massive distance for us to cover but this is a very worthy cause and it will certainly be an inspiration to all involved on the day and in helping to drive us on.”

Uniphar CEO Ger Rabbette is equally looking forward to the challenge of the West End Tour: “We have spent the last number of months training hard for this trip which no one doubts will be a big physical challenge. We’re hoping for dry weather and a chasing wind as we push on westward.

“We will have a very early start from Chapelizod at 6.30 on Saturday morning The hope is to arrive in Castlebar between 7 and 8 p.m. on Saturday evening and we look forward to meeting supporters and family as we circle the town and arrive in Bridge Street to mark the official completion of the challenge.”

The CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, Martina Jennings, says the West End Tour is proving to be a fantastic fundraising event.

“We are so delighted with the progress to date by Ger Prendergast, the team of dedicated cyclists and event sponsors Uniphar plc - all of whom have committed to such a major undertaking in support of Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Events like this will help us to continue to fund palliative care services, along with completing the build of our Roscommon Hospice.

“We hope the public will get in behind the event on the day and look out for our dedicated cyclists and give them plenty of encouragement along the way.”

The West End Tour will leave from Chapelizod at 6.30 a.m. this Saturday (July 3) and travel via Leixlip, Maynooth and Kinnegad onwards to Mullingar and Ballymahon, crossing the Shannon at Lanesborough before travelling into Roscommon – and then onwards to Williamstown, Claremorris and onto the home stretch into Castlebar.

The tour is aiming to arrive in Castlebar between 7 and 8 p.m. on Saturday.

Contributions for the West End Tour can be made via the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/uniphargroup