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Organisers of the Ring of Kerry Cycle have confirmed that participants raised a whopping €1.2 million for charity at this year’s event. Official charities associated with the 35th year of the event were presented with their funds at a special reception at the INEC Killarney last Friday evening.

Among the 15 main beneficiaries of this year’s event was much-loved Killarney teenager Ian O’Connell who was seriously injured when he fell from his bike last August. Ian, who is a student in St Brendan’s College, won the hearts of the nation when he appeared on The Late Late Show and shared his inspirational motto, “If I can’t stand up, I’ll stand out.”

The funds raised will go towards assisting Ian with his rehabilitation and help with giving him the support he needs.

The cycle itself in July saw over 7,000 participants from Ireland and abroad arrive in Kerry to complete the 175km cycle challenge around the scenic Ring of Kerry.

The main beneficiaries were divided into three main groups which included Disability Support Services, Cancer and Family Support Services and Community Care. Along with the fifteen main beneficiaries that received donations, there were also twenty local communities that benefited from the event. Each of these local communities will receive a cheque of €2,000. The local communities were heavily involved in supporting, organising and volunteering for the Charity Cycle.

“We are very proud to once again have broken the €1 million mark for very worthy beneficiaries that will utilise the funds raised in various ways to improve and expand services for people across all walks of life,” said Cathal Walshe, ROK Cycle PRO.

“The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle has become an iconic event over the past 35 years and it has gone from strength to strength. This event would not be feasible if it wasn’t for the huge support from our organisers, charities and volunteers and of course the cyclists themselves who support us year after year. We look forward to seeing you all in 2019”.

15 Main Charity Beneficiaries

Disability Support Services

Buy a Bus Campaign - Kerry Parent & Friends Association

Down Syndrome Ireland

Enable Ireland

Irish Kidney Association

St Mary of the Angels (intellectual disability residential care)

Cancer & Family Support Services

Breakthrough Cancer Research

Brú Columbanus (Family accommodation for seriously ill)

Kerry Hospice Foundation

Community Care

Baile Mhuire

Caherciveen Social Services

Irish Community Rapid Response

KDYS – Kerry Diocesan Youth Service

Pieta House

St. Joseph’s Home, Killorglin

The Ian O Connell Trust

Additional local community beneficiaries

Abbeyfeale Search & Rescue

Ballinskelligs In Shore Rescue

Banna Inshore Rescue

Childhood Cancer Foundation

Fr Sean Myers Brazilian Fund

Friends of the Children of Chernobyl

Heartbeat Killarney

Holy Cross Day Care Centre

Holy Cross School – Autism Unit

Home from Home

Kenya Education Project

Kerry Cheshire Killarney

Kerry Mental Health, Kenmare

Kerry Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre

Kerry Respite Care

Killarney Water Rescue

Muckross Community Centre

Multiple Sclerosis South Kerry

Novas Support for the Homeless

Sean Cairde

Waterville Community First Responders