Santa’s pedal power

OVER 200 people donning Santa Claus costumes came out to take part in The Laurels Cycle Crew’s Annual Santa Cycle last weekend.

On Sunday, December 5, a sled-load of Santas could be spotted cycling through Clondalkin for the annual Santa Cycle in aid of acquired brain injury services and support charity, Headway.

The cyclists took on a 20km route going through Corkagh Park, Grange Castle, Fonthill, the Village and then returning to the Laurels pub where they enjoyed a well-deserved drink afterwards.

This year marked the seventh year of the fundraising event and the first in-person event since 2019, with a virtual cycle taking place last year due to Covid-19 restrictions. It was also the first year that the route was a local one around Clondalkin due to the current Covid-19 situation.

Speaking about the event on Sunday, one of the organisers, head barman of The Laurels Pub in Clondalkin, Denis McCarthy, said it was a “huge success”.

“It was our first post-Covid cycle and it was great to get the community back together again,” he said.

“Everybody had a great time and we raised money for a good cause. We had a really good turn-out which we were really happy with and because it was our first time doing it in two years, we were delighted.”

The virtual event in 2020 was the first year where the cycle was being held in aid of Headway, which has a personal connection for one member of the Laurels Cycle Crew, Derek Cummins, who suffered an acquired brain injury after a stroke seven years ago.

The total amount of money raised for Headway from this year’s cycle is not yet known as the count is underway.

The Laurels Cycle Crew, which established by Denis and Damien Long 11 years ago, has raised a significant amount of money for various charities over the years, with them reaching the €1 million figure back in 2019.