CYCLE CHALLENGE: Locals are planning a gruelling 8,000 cycle from Kerry to Kenya for charity. Pictured from l-r were: Michael Finnegan, Daire Sheehy, Eddie Sheehy, Eamonn Sheehy, Aaron Morris and Michael Lindsey. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

Locals are hoping to take on an epic 8,000km charity cycle - without leaving Killarney town or even the gym - as they are planning a fundraiser next month.

From December 14 to 20, a group are planning to take on the charity fitness cycle on stationary bikes in a socially distanced manner at Studio 7 Fitness Killarney on New Street.

Some of the names who have committed to cycle a few kilometres include Kerry footballers Tony Brosnan, Paudie Clifford and Sean O'Shea and former player Eoin Brosnan, Sean Taaffe, The Brand Geeks, ultra runner and owner of the Black Sheep Hostel Kevin Leahy, and the Mayor of Kerry, Patrick Connor-Scarteen to name a few. Each will cycle as many kilometres as possible to help clock up the miles to keep the charity event in gear.

The event will not only raise awareness but also some very necessary funds for ‘The Kenya Education Project’ founded by Killarney man Eddie Sheehy in 2003. Eddie and his co-workers help create awareness of the difficulties faced by families in Kenya which are even more compounded this year with COVID-19. The charity provides food and education for hundreds of children on or below the poverty line in Kenya. The charity also works in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul helping deliver clothes as well as financial aid to families.

"I wanted to come up with an idea on how we could help raise money as well as finish off a tough year on a good note," Michael Lindsay from Studio 7 Fitness Killarney told the Killarney Advertiser.

"My Senior Fitness Coach, Aaron Morris came up with the idea of the ‘Kerry to Kenya’ charity cycle. The journey often undertaken by Eddie and his co-workers comes to just shy of 8,000kms. We hope to recreate this journey using stationary socially distanced bikes in our gym in Killarney, guidelines dependant, over a seven day span where people can sign up to cycle and or donate as little or as much as they want to help us reach our fundraising target."

To get donate, go to GoFundMe: From Kerry to Kenya 8000km Charity Gym Cycle.