ONE of Ireland’s most scenic charity cycles sets off from beautiful Bantry in West Cork on Saturday, July 8th next taking in some of the most breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way vistas in the country and all in aid of local charities.
Now in its 14th year, the Wild Atlantic Mizen Cycle (formerly The West Cork Emergency Services & Friends Charity Cycle) is organised by the West Cork Emergency Services & Friends and will see virtually all funds raised going to four deserving local charities, Irish Community Rapid Response, MS Ireland, Durrus Men’s Shed and Bantry Tidy Towns.
There are three stunning routes to choose from (130km, 100km and 65km) beginning and ending in Bantry and taking in the spectacular coastal scenery of the Mizen and Sheep’s Head Peninsulas.
Among the selected charities this year is Irish Community Rapid Response, who are aiming to raise €1 million to establish Ireland’s first dedicated doctor led helicopter emergency medical service. Based in Cork Airport the helicopter will provide lifesaving medical care to Munster and south Leinster and will be able to reach most areas of Munster with highly qualified trauma doctors within half an hour.
Co-founder John Kearney said, “The helicopter will offer an airborne mobile intensive care unit that will save time and lives getting patients to hospital as quickly as possible. The service will be based on the successful Irish Community Rapid Response model and is the next step bringing better response times with permanent on-duty doctors who will have the ability to bring advanced skills to acutely ill and injured people throughout its catchment area”.
The cycle has already raise €425,000 for local West Cork charities and organisers aim to make this year’s event the most successful to-date. Registration / sign–on will be at Bantry Fire Station on Friday, July 7th from 7pm to 8.30pm and on Saturday, July 8th from 7.30am to 8.30am. The cycle starts at 9am.
For more visit: www.wildatlanticmizencycle.com
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Email: wamcycle@gmail.com