Mother inspires cycle for Alzheimer Society

Four brothers who lost their mother to Alzheimer’s have helped their father organise a fundraising cycle in her memory to help other families caring for a loved one with dementia.

All the proceeds of the Cronin family’s Memory Tour will be donated to the Cork branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to help provide home care, day-care and family carer support. It costs about €21 to provide one hour of home care to a family.

Richard Cronin, 40, from Wilton, Cork, said he was inspired to organise the 65km fun cycle following his mother, Eileen’s death last December.

And it’s a real family effort with his older brothers, John, Paul and Dan, and their father, Sean, all involved in the event. Keen cyclists, Richard and John, will cycle the entire route.

Mrs Cronin, known to friends and neighbours as Eily, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 13 years ago.

Richard said he and his family received great support in the final difficult stages of her illness, thanks to a range of support services provided by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, which has daycare centres in Bessboro, Midleton and Bandon in Co Cork.

“The cycle is being held in memory of those who have passed and to support those who cannot remember,” Richard said.

“And thanks to generous sponsorship, every single cent raised will stay locally to help other families living with Alzheimer’s.”

The cycle, which takes place on Saturday next, will take cyclists on a 65km route from the Angler’s Rest bar, near the Carrigrohane Rd, west to Macroom via Inniscarra, Dripsey, Coachford, and Carrigadrohid, before returning along the main Cork to Killarney Rd through Lissarda and Ballincollig, back to the Angler’s Rest for a barbecue. Refreshments will be available along the route.

People can pre-register on The Memory Tour’s page on Facebook, and take part for €25 but you can sign-up from 9.30am on the morning of the cycle, for €30.

* Search ‘The Memory Tour’ on Facebook for more details.