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Inspirational Killarney teenager Ian O’Connell has been included as a beneficiary of this year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.

Ian (16), who is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Centre, Dún Laoghaire, is due to return home soon where his ongoing and lengthy rehabilitation programme will continue.

Money raised in the Ring of Kerry Cycle will be lodged to the Ian O’Connell Trust set up by the Spa GAA club. The fund, administered by three trustees, will help meet his ongoing needs and the cost of any necessary adaptations to his home.

Jim Gleeson, who spearheaded that campaign, said they were extremely grateful to the Ring of Kerry Cycle for making Ian a beneficiary and urged as many cyclists as possible to take part in support.

‘’The Spa club’s campaign was very generously supported,” he said. “Like so many people, the organisers of the Ring of Kerry Cycle have also been moved by Ian’s story and we’re now looking for as many fundraisers as possible to cycle on his behalf.”

Before his accident Ian was working in the Killarney Park Hotel and his colleagues there are dusting off their bikes and donning their lycra to support their friend and colleague for this year’s event. For more information, visit www.ringofkerrycycle.ie.