Gardaí take to the roads in 550km cycle for Enable Ireland

Ten Cork gardaí have swapped the beat for bikes to raise money and awareness for a charity that helps children and adults with disabilities.

The 10 members of the Cork Garda Cycling Club yesterday set off yesterday on a 550km cycle around the south of Ireland in support of the work of Enable Ireland.

Over their four-day cycle, the group will visit Enable Centres in Cork, Kerry, Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary before finishing their trek in Kilkenny on Thursday. Along the way they will meet the children and adults who benefit from the charity’s work and pay tribute to the dedication of staff and family members.

“Cork Garda Cycling Club has 46 members affiliated to Cycling Ireland, and supported by Coiste Roinne and St Paul’s Credit Union,” said one of the cyclists, Tim Crean.

“We are delighted to undertake this cycle and raise whatever funds and awareness we can to support Enable Ireland. I’m personally aware of the work undertaken by the organisation and the cycle is our way of acknowledging this.”

Enable Ireland provides free services to children and adults with disabilities and their families from 40 locations in 14 counties.

The charity says that the demand for its services continues to rise and that it relies on the support of volunteer, local business, and the community to help to meet the needs of its services.

Sean Scully of Enable Ireland said the charity was delighted with the fundraising efforts.

“We wish them every success in taking on such a big cycle over just four days. It’s great to have the gardaí on board and we wish them well,” he said.

The group has set a fundraising target of €3,000, and donations can be made at: mycharity.ie/event/ Cork_garda_550k_cycle/