Lough Derg RNLI hosts ‘Lap of the Lake’ RNLI Charity Cycle on 11 May 2024 – the bicentenary year of the RNLI and the 20th year of Lough Derg RNLI .
Following the great success of the Lap the Lake RNLI charity cycles in 2022 and 2023, the Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising committee are inviting participants again this year. The cycle will take place Saturday 11 May. Cyclists who took part in the previous two years raised significant funds for the RNLI’s local lifeboat station, operated by volunteers on Lough Derg.
2024 is a special year of commemoration for the RNLI as the charity celebrates its bicentenary, and Lough Derg RNLI marks 20 years of lifeboat service on the lake.
On the 2024 Lap the Lake, cyclists may again choose between a 120km route or a shorter 65km one. The longer route will take participants on a full circuit of Lough Derg, giving entrants the chance to cycle through three counties, Tipperary, Clare and Galway.
The shorter route will take cyclists to just beyond Killaloe, to a turnaround point at the Twomilegate lakeside amenity park. Whichever route participants chose, they will have the opportunity to delight in the outstanding beauty of the lake and the River Shannon.
Riders’ safety and well-being is a priority, with First Aid providers, out-riders, marshals, and bike maintenance stops along the route, as well as comfort and refreshments stations.
The RNLI is a search and rescue charity, reliant on the support of the public to continue its lifesaving work. Fundraising events such as the Lap the Lake RNLI Lough Derg Charity Cycle 2024 enable the charity to provide the best safety kit and training for volunteer crews, and to build and develop lifeboats’ capabilities and to deliver its international drowning prevention programmes.
Laura Clarke, Chair of the Lough Derg RNLI ‘Lap the Lake’ Event Committee said, ‘we were thrilled with the success of the previous two year’s Lap of the Lake cycle. We were blessed with fine weather so that cyclists were able to enjoy the most breath taking scenery around the lake. 2024 is a particularly special year for the RNLI as the charity marks 200 years of lifesaving work. This event, now open for registration, is about raising funds for our local lifeboat on Lough Derg, which celebrates 20 years of service.’
Commenting on plans for the forthcoming cycle Niamh McCutcheon, Chair of Lough Derg RNLI Fundraising Committee said, ‘A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes into organising these events. We look forward to welcoming back cyclists from previous years and look forward to meeting new participants this year. We hope that people will once again support our lifeboat station and our brave volunteers.’
Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Christine O’Malley added, ‘once again it is wonderful to be able to offer people an event where they can have fun while raising funds. The men and women who volunteer for the RNLI give up their time to train and be ready for any callout on the water at any hour. The funds raised through this cycle ensure we can continue to save lives on Lough Derg now and in the future. ’
Details on how to register to take part in the RNLI Lough Derg Charity Cycle Lap the Lake on Saturday 6 May 2024 are available here at the cycle’s Eventbrite page. Tickets are €65 for the 120km route and €50 for the 65km route.
