Echo staff and friends pedal 300k to reach target of €3,000
By Hayden Moore
THE ECHO’S annual fundraiser was held last Thursday to great success with plenty of local faces helping The Echo team pedal their way to 300km over a 12-hour static cycling challenge.
Social Circle, which is a parent-led group that is focused on ‘supporting families with autism’ was chosen as The Echo's charity partner for the 2018 fundraiser.
Echo staff Chris, Stephen, Gareth, Brenda and Wendy with Caroline Reilly, assistance dog Lola, Dylan Kennedy and Mairead Mekki of Social Circle
With a target set of €3,000 and 300km, The Echo set out on their static-bike cycle challenge in The Square Town Centre with staff Brenda Mockler, Wendy Byrne, Emma Kennedy and Aisling Finn being joined by D Watch from Tallaght Fire Brigade to get the show on the road.
It was all hands on deck as D Watch hopped on the bike and shook buckets alongside member families from Social Circle.
Throughout the day, Mayor Mark Ward gave the team a dig-out on the bike and was followed by former Dublin and current St Mark’s hurler David ‘Dotsy’ O’Callaghan before Brenda crossed the 100km mark.
Shamrock Rovers midfielder Brandon Miele dropped by to cycle a few kilometers and give Echo staff a well deserved break without stopping the 12 hour staright cycle, before Echo reporter Hayden Moore surpassed 200km.
Social Circle co-founder Mairead Mekki brought along Cookie, the Labradoodle Autism Assistance Dog – who put a shift in and was a huge hit with passers-by and people donating.
The final 100km brought in plenty of firepower as Echo staff, Paddy Drac and former Ireland footballer Keith Fahy registered some kilometres.
Dylan Kennedy, a member of Social Circle 10+ group got the team over the targeted 300km mark.
A cheque presentation and reveal of the total amount raised will be made to Social Circle on Wednesday, December 12.
One last push to help get the targeted €3,000 can be made to our GoFundMe page HERE
