By Michelle Crean

A Killarney spinathon to help raise funds for local charity Comfort for Chemo brought in over €8,000 in a day as part of the annual 54321 Challenge.

SPINNING: Barth Warren (Killarney Cycling Club) Tom Daly (Killarney Cycling Club) and Cora Walsh (Comfort for Chemo Kerry) taking part in a charity spinathon in Killarney recently. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

STRONG WOMEN: Mairead Dunphy (54321) Brigeen O'Sullivan (Comfort for Chemo) Helena Doherty (54321) Annemarie Leane (54321) and Siobhan O'Sullivan (54321) showed their strength and determination during the 54321 Challenge. Photo: Carole Naughton

Members of Killarney Cycling Club took to stationary bikes in town last week in the Outlet Centre, at Market Cross and near Scotts Hotel and were blown away by people's generosity. However, it was their location at the corner of the Plaza Hotel which brought in the most - over €6,000 - as passers-by and motorists in traffic dug deep to help the cause.

At the weekend 10 ladies took part in 54321 Challenge which included cycling the Ring of Kerry, climbing Carrantuohill, a cycle from Killarney to the foot of Cnoc Na Tobair and then a climb up Cnoc Na Tobair
finished by a cycle around the Skellig Ring.

Since it was founded, the Challenge has raised almost €242,000 supporting a variety of very deserving Kerry charities.

TJ O'Connor, one of the organisers who joined the ladies for the challenge, said they were blown away by the generosity of Killarney people.

"We were really delighted with the massive support in Killarney," TJ told the Killarney Advertiser.

"The support at the corner of the Plaza, that probably brought in the most, about €6,000 and in total in Killarney we brought in €8,500. It shows a fantastic link between a local club and a local charity."

He said that the challenge at the weekend was not only great fun for everyone involved but raised funds and awareness for the charity.

He thanked Patricia O'Sullivan who guided them up Carrantouhil as the weather was less than favourable that day.

"When we did get to the top the sun came out and had some amazing views." Mairead Dunphy, he added, who is from Glencar and going through her own cancer journey joined them over the few days.

"We had some laughs, and the goodwill from all the people over the few days made it all so easy. It has raised an awareness of what Comfort for Chemo are trying to achieve."

To donate go to 54321challenge.org.