50 cyclists from Element Six in Shannon were blessed with glorious sunshine when they ran their inaugural charity cycle.
The cycle was held in aid of Cliona’s Foundation for their support to young Fionn Barry (3), who is battling Infantile Spasms, a debilitating and life-limiting illness, inspired the cycle, and whose father Trevor works at Element Six.
Among those who turned up to see the cycle off was young Fionn himself with his mother Brenda and father Trevor, as well as retired Munster, Ireland and Lions rugby star David Wallace, who generously gave time to set the cycle on its way.
The cyclists, all members of the workforce at Element Six, set off on a route that took in Sixmilebridge, Quin, Newmarket-on-Fergus and even Dromoland Castle before heading back to Shannon where it concluded at Wolfe Tones GAA club before other staff joined them for a barbecue.
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Event organiser Grainne Loonam said: “It was a fantastic day. It was our first charity cycle at Element Six and we really couldn’t have looked for a better start. The weather was fantastic; blue skies the whole way through. We tipped along nice and leisurely through the villages along the route and made the most pleasant of pit-stops at Dromoland as well.
“Everyone was on a high when we got back to Wolfe Tones GAA club and there was a great bit of fun there also as many more from the company joined us for a barbecue.”
Said Fionn’s dad Trevor: “We’re still smiling from ear to ear. The event raised some much appreciated funds for a brilliant local charity that has been so good to us and so many other families. But there was also a real sense of fun on the day. Everyone who participated was in such good spirits and I can really see this growing as an annual event. We’re indebted to the team that organised it. Cliona’s Foundation was so good to us and for the team at Element Six to do this in return for them is more than we could have hoped for. It’s a very kind thank-you to a great organisation.”
Fionn has a Facebook page if you wish to follow his story: https://www.facebook.com/fightforfionn/