Enda does his bit for charity as Ring of Kerry Cycle raises record €840k

It’s a lesson that Taoiseach Enda Kenny and others charged with running the country might do well to learn — how to make money in a recession.

Mr Kenny was among more than 8,300 people who got on their bikes to raise a record €842,100 for good causes in the Ring of Kerry Charity cycle in July.

It was a record sum for one of Ireland’s biggest charity fund-raisers — €250,000 more than the previous year. The number of participants, who come from all over the country and overseas, is also rising year on year.

Mr Kenny, whose wife Fionnuala O’Kelly has close relatives in the Killarney area, enjoys spending leisure time in Kerry. He was among some well-known people to participate in the 185km cycle, including Arts Minister Jimmy Deenihan.

The money raised was handed over at a function attended by Mr Deenihan in Killarney at the weekend. However, some money is outstanding and the organisers asked people who have not yet handed in their collecting to do so.

The main beneficiaries were Build4Life-Cystic Fibrosis, Enable Ireland, Kerry Cork Health Link-Cancer Support Group, SouthWest Counselling Centre, Home from Home/St Francis Special School, Rathmore Social Action Group, and Friends of St Josephs Home in Killorglin.

Sixteen subsidiary charities also benefited. This was the 29th year of the event, which has so far raised over €5.5m for charity.

Organising committee chairman Tim O’Brien thanked the cyclists and acknowledged the work of a host of volunteers.

“The huge voluntary effort ensured that all the money raised goes directly to the nominated charities,” said Mr O’Brien.

He said work was on schedule for the 2013 event and invited charities apply to benefit from next year’s Ring of Kerry Cycle by checking the website, ringofkerrycycle.ie, from which application forms can be downloaded.

Closing date for receipt of application is 5pm, Nov 30.