Cycling challenge from Clondalkin to Courtown raises over €15,500

A GROUP of friends and cyclists has raised over €15,500 for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) unit in a Clondalkin school by cycling from Dublin to Wexford.

The Handball Harriers – a group of friends from Clondalkin and Ballyfermot took on the gruelling challenge of cycling 104 kilometres from Clondalkin to Courtown, in Co Wexford, last Saturday, August 7.

Despite the less-than-ideal weather conditions on the day of the cycle, the group managed to raise an incredible €15,573 for the ASD unit at Sacred Heart National School in Sruleen, Clondalkin.

Speaking with The Echo, one of the members of the Handball Harriers, Tony Kelly, also known as Coach Kelly, said that the day went according to plan: “It was a great day with great camaraderie. The last 20 kilometres was tough with the wind and the rain in our faces.

“We got over fifteen-and-a-half thousand for the school, which is fantastic.”

In addition to raising the €15,573 for the school, the Handball Harriers gave a €1,500 donation to a nine-year-old girl from Clondalkin, Aoibhe Lyons, who has a tumour in the back of the eye as previously reported in The Echo.

The annual fundraising event has raised thousands for the local community in Clondalkin since starting, with the group raising €10,000 for the ASD unit last year also.

Coach Kelly added: “We will do it for another school next year – we are going to try and cover the whole community. Our motto is – we are not men in sheds, we are lads on bikes.”

If you would like or donate to the fundraiser, it remains open, and you can do so through the GoFundMe page by searching ‘Sacred Heart School Autism Unit’.