Local cyclists are planning to get on their bikes for The Gene Tangney Cycle Saturday, July 25, for University Hospital Kerry - ICU.

The group are planning a fundraiser for the ICU department in University Hospital Kerry (UHK) after local man Gene Tangney of the Black Valley, Killarney, endured the bravest battle of his life during the COVID-19 lockdown when he contracted the horrific Coronavirus.

His illness resulted in medical professionals at UHK placing him in an induced coma and ventilator to assist in his breathing for three months. He remains in hospital today, and is making a slow but steady recovery.

Fundraiser and cyclist Denis Geaney and his ‘Team Geaney’ crew are planning to cycle the Ring of Kerry in line with HSE guidelines recommendations, on July 25. It will only be members of Team Geaney’s crew that will cycle on the day and they are encouraging people to donate to the GoFundMe page: Gene Tangney cycle for UHK I.C.U.

Denis is planning to stop in the usual iconic food stations along the way, the Red Fox, Jack Fitzpatrick’s in Caherciveen for ‘Tay and Brac’, a music stop at Coomakista and Black Shop Castlecove, onto Sneem, Kenmare, and return to Killarney.

Gene, together with all the Tangney family, especially his son Feidhlim and daughter Fiadhna, are so grateful to the medical team and hospital staff in UHK.

The 100,000 friends and well-wishers who lit candles in solidarity with Gene on Easter Monday night at 9pm kept them all going throughout his long ordeal.

“I owe my life to the nurses and doctors in the ICU Ward, the level of care, compassion and dedication I received was unbelievable," Gene said. "I am so grateful to Denis Geaney and his team for thinking of me and cycling the Ring of Kerry to raise funds for the ICU ward."

[caption id="attachment_32850" align="alignleft" width="1024"] RECOVERING: Gene Tangney who contracted the Coronavirus remains in University Hospital Kerry and is making slow but steady progress. Photo: Valerie O'Sullivan[/caption]