Cyclists urged to ‘share the journey’

PRETTY little Emily and Danni Coleman jumped on their trikes to help launch one of the country’s biggest fundraising bike rides.

Hundreds of amateur cyclists have signed up to take part in this year’s 600km Tour de Munster which will raise funds for Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The tour raised €250,000 for DSI’s Munster branches last year.

Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly, the seven-in-row winner of the Paris–Nice classic, hopes the public will be just as generous this year.

Kelly, who has backed the event for several years, will lead cyclists on the first stage of their four-day tour through the province’s six counties.

DSI fundraiser Michael O’Gorman, whose son David has Down Syndrome, said he is delighted the charity will benefit again this year.

“We feel honoured to have been selected twice,” he said.

“We have been around for 40 years and even though we have achieved so much in the charity, it’s great to get outside support from others.”

DSI helps children born with Down Syndrome to be as independent as possible. It is crucial that the children have access to speech therapy and occupational therapy from an early age.

DSI also provides independent living skills and employment opportunities.

“This all takes funds and through the great work of the Tour de Munster, more young people with Down Syndrome will be helped in a practical way,” Mr O’Gorman said.

Tour organiser Paul Sheridan said: “The DSI slogan is ‘share the journey’ and we hope that our tour will see a lot of supporters do just that both directly and indirectly.”

The tour, which begins on August 11, is supported by the Irish Examiner, Red FM, Spin South West, Clare FM, Tipp FM and WLR FM.

* www.tourdemunster.ie or follow the event on twitter @tourdemunster