Charity 90km cycle helps raise funds for Fighting Blindness
By Mary Dennehy
A MOTHER and father from Tallaght joined local fire fighters in a 90km charity cycle in aid of Fighting Blindness, which provides support to their 11-year-old daughter Emma.
Originally from Kilnamanagh but now living in Firhouse, Brian and Tracey Whelan and their daughter Emma, who has a genetic eye condition, receive support from the Irish charity – which has a vision to cure blindness and support and empower patients.
This year, a number of Dublin fire stations have chosen Fighting Blindness as their charity, with firefighters also staging a recent fundraiser in The Square shopping centre.
Last Saturday, September 16, a team of 37 cyclists peddled off from Tallaght Fire Station in the direction of Carlow, and after three hours and 20 minutes they reached their destination.
The cycle is on track to smash its fundraising goal of €1,500, with online donations now at more than €1,400 – with money raised through sponsorship cards still coming in.
Brian told The Echo: “All of the money raised will go directly to Fighting Blindness for research, which will help kids like Emma and many others.
“We can’t thank those who helped organise the cycle enough including my friends Daithi O’ Reilly and Darren Donovan who based in Dolphin’s Barn [fire station] put Fighting Blindness forward as this year’s charity.
“Thanks as well to firefighters Joe Mulligan and Podge Thompson, the D Watch shift at Tallaght Fire Station and the fire station in Carlow who put on a barbeque for our arrival.”
The online donation page for Cycle to Carlow is still open and anybody who would like to support families like the Whelans are encouraged to visit www.everydayhero.com (the Cycle to Carlow page).
