Pedal-power heroes hope to raise €20,000 for charity
By Echo Reporter
Five trusty stalwarts have jumped on their bikes this week to give a major push to the fundraising programme for Trustus,the Tallaght-based organisation that supports more than 1,000 older residents weekly.
Team Trustus hit the road this week for the Venice to Rome Charity Cycle. The first leg of their journey is 110 miles (177km).
This year the Wacky Races Team, made up of David Bowen, Joe Reynolds, Douglas Adams, Robert Fitzpatrick and Paul McMahon, will press the pedals all the way from Venice to Rome in aid of Trustus, with the prospect of raising at least €20,000 for the home care service which provides invaluable support for older people and those with disabilities, alongside providing a day care service, activities and meals on wheels.
The event, which runs from September 27 to October 2, forms a major part of Trustus’s 2016 fundraising programme, with the money raised going towards replacing at least two of the organisation’s four vehicles.
Marie Price Bolger, the Chief Executive of Trustus, told The Echo: “Last year we raised €9,000 cycling from Malin Head to Mizen Head with no preparation at all – we literally decided to do the charity cycle in the space of a few weeks and raised a tremendous €9,000 – which was amazing.
“This year, we’re hoping to raise around €20,000 which would help us to replace two of our four vehicles.
“Three of our vehicles are on the road everyday bringing, for example, people to and from the day care centre, to hospital appointments and to pick up their pension, alongside one vehicle doing meals on wheels.
“They are overused and we really need to start replacing them.”
She added: “We are inviting businesses in the area to come on board as a sponsor or to maybe do a Wacky Races Pool in their workplace, where employees bet on one of the riders to win and their time.
“I will contacting businesses in the coming weeks and hope companies will get behind us.
“All donations are greatly appreciated. Please check out our Facebook and Twitter page or go directly to our JustGiving page.”
Anybody interested in supporting Trustus and its Wacky Races team is encouraged to contact Marie Price Bolger on 087 2674971, email mpb@trustus.ie or visit the Trustus Facebook page for more.
