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The ten main charities who will benefit from the 2016 Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle at a photocall at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel; front, John Rice, Sr Elizabeth Farrell and Sr Helena Lyne (St Joseph's Nursing Home), Tim O'Brien, chairman, Karena McCarthy, Kieran O'Brien (Pieta House Kerry) and Grace Sheehan (St Ita's & St Joseph's); second row, Con Cremin and Rhona O'Regan (Talbot Grove), Helen Wilson (Derrynane Inshore Rescue), Claire O'Shea (St Francis Special School), Maura Long, Karen Brosnan and Teresa Looney (Kerry Branch, Irish Kidney Association); back, Michael Donnelly, Nikki Wissell and Ciara Irwin Foley (South West Counselling services), Tina Breen and Kay Bryant (Aras Mhuire Listowel), Kenneth Reynolds and Siobhan McSweeney (Recovery Haven Cancer Respite). Picture: Eamonn Keogh

The ten main charities who will benefit from the 2016 Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle at a photocall at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel, front, John Rice, Sr Elizabeth Farrell and Sr Helena Lyne (St Joseph's Nursing Home), Tim O'Brien, chairman, Karena McCarthy, Kieran O'Brien (Pieta House, Kerry) and Grace Sheehan (St Ita's & St Joseph's), second row, Con Cremin and Rhona O'Regan (Talbot Grove), Helen Wilson (Derrynane Inshore Rescue), Claire O'Shea (St Francis Special School), Maura Long, Karen Brosnan and Teresa Looney (Kerry Branch Irish Kidney Association), back, Michael Donnelly, Nikki Wissell and Ciara Irwin Foley (South West Counselling services)Tina Breen and Kay Bryant (Aras Mhuire Listowel), Kenneth Reynolds and Siobhan McSweeney (Recovery Haven Cancer Respite). Picture: Eamonn Keogh

NOW in its 33rd year, the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle to date has raised over €10.6 million for charities that benefit all the communities across the county of Kerry.
Michael Moriarty, of St Joseph’s Home, Killorglin, explained how important the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle is in its fundraising efforts. “St Joseph’s Home provides vital care for the elderly in the Mid and South West Kerry area,” said Michael.
“In order to maintain the high standard of care offered and meet HIQA requirements, in 2017 we need to convert existing three-bed wards to single rooms, which will require significant investment.
“Without the financial support raised through the Ring of Kerry Cycle, this will not be feasible. It is thanks to this one day fundraising event that we are able to keep our doors open and our valued staff can continue to serve the community.”
And now is the time to get on your bike and start training for this year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle. The 10 main charities that will benefit from the 2016 Ring Of Kerry Charity Cycle are South West Counselling Services, St Joseph's Nursing Home, Killorglin, Aras Mhuire, Listowel, St Ita’s & St Joseph's Special School, Tralee, Pieta House, Kerry, the Kerry Branch Irish Kidney Association, Recovery Haven Cancer Respite, St Francis Special School, Derrynane Inshore Rescue, and Talbot Grove, Castleisland. “The chosen charities provide fantastic support to the people of Kerry and will benefit hugely from the money they receive from this year’s Fundraising effort. Last year over €1.85 million was raised and shared amongst the nine chosen charities as well as 28 smaller charities in Kerry,” said Cathal.
Reminding interested participants how this year’s registration process will work, Cathal said: “This year the charities will have a limited amount of places to fill and we cannot reiterate enough that the best chance of getting a place is to register your interest online. “Registration for the lottery closes on January 31, leaving less than three weeks for people to register, I would suggest that all interested parties get moving and get registered!” This year’s cycle will take place on Saturday, July 2.