Since its inception 16 years ago, Tour de Munster has gone from strength to strength. This year alone the charity cycle has raised €285,655.37 for its beneficiary, the Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI).
This is the seventh successive year that DSI has benefitted from the popular charity cycle. Two time World Road Race Championship bronze medallist Sean Kelly presented the sum of money at a celebratory event attended by cyclists, branch members, and their families at Clayton Hotel Silver Springs in Cork on Saturday, November 26th.
Over one hundred and twenty amateur cyclists travelled over 600k through the 6 counties of Munster from August 4th – 7th, supported by friends, family and the scores of DSI volunteers who fundraised along the route for this year’s event. Each cyclist covered their own expenses, so all funds raised go directly to DSI.
Sean Kelly, who is an avid supporter of Tour de Munster once again cycled with the group for the full four days of the Tour, covering an average of 150 km per day through the towns and villages of Clare, Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry and Cork. Since its inception in 2001, Tour de Munster has raised over €2.4 million for its beneficiaries, with over €1.9 million for DSI alone. Paul Sheridan, who established Tour de Munster, could not be prouder of the Tour and its many participants over the years.
Speaking at the cheque presentation, Paul said “Having raised over €2.4 million to date for our various beneficiaries over the last 16 years, we are so proud to have raised an additional €285,655.37 this year, bringing the total raised for the Munster Branches of DSI to over €1.9 million in the last seven years.
“The hard work and dedication from the cyclists and DSI volunteers has been truly incredible, and I am so proud of all involved on having raised this staggering sum for DSI. We are very grateful to the many companies and the public who have supported the Tour in the past 16 years, in particular this year’s main sponsor, Nightline Delivers, who year after year join us on our epic journey. For all involved in Tour de Munster, it’s wonderful to see the great work being carried out by DSI’s Munster branches, and the many families whose lives are improved as a result of these branches.”
Each branch in Munster will receive a share of the money raised to fund services for people with Down Syndrome. Thanking all those who supported Tour de Munster this year, Phil Keohane, Tour de Munster Branch Liaison Officer, and cycle participant said “Tour de Munster has been an amazing experience for everyone in Down Syndrome Ireland. I’d like to thank all involved for their incredible dedication and hard work. DSI families, staff, and the DSI community will be forever in your debt. The tremendous fundraising work and awareness campaign improves the lives of so many Munster families, and this is what makes Tour de Munster so special.”
Special thanks was also given to this year’s media partners -Irish Examiner, Clare FM, Tipp FM, Red FM and WLR FM.
