Seventy-year-old motor neurone sufferer gets into gear for Malin to Mizen

For most people the long weekend is an opportunity to put the feet up and take a breather but for one remarkable 70-year-old it marks the start of an incredible journey the length of Ireland.

Eddie Green and ten companions from Castleknock in Dublin are travelling from the most southerly tip of the country to the most northerly to raise funds for motor neurone disease - a condition Eddie was diagnosed with six months ago.

Eddie’s diagnosis was the catalyst that encouraged the group to undertake the gruelling journey, according to one of the riders George Chambers.

“We’ve been planning this about six months now... Eddie was diagnosed before Christmas so we just decided we’d do it,” he said.

Although the main event, the cycle from Mizen to Malin head is only one of a number of events the group have organised to raise funds.

Another smaller charity cycle and a static cycle in Dublin have already swelled the group's kitty.

Each stage of the six day ride encompasses approximately 100km and so far Eddie is managing fine since setting out on Saturday morning en route to Mallow, Co Cork.

“He doesn’t have great power in one arm but he’s doing fine so far, we’re looking after him and he’s going along well,” said George of his colleague.

“He’s been very positive [since being diagnosed], he just doesn’t look too far ahead.”

With such a huge challenge ahead, it’s an outlook that might serve him well on the road too.

If you'd like to support the guys' efforts and donate to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Associationclick here.