Sporting heroes support charity cycle to raise €30k for sensory room

GET on your bike this November and help raise €30k for a sensory room in the emergency department of Tallaght University Hospital.

This year’s charity cycle will be a virtual race between four teams led by four sporting heroes, with members of the public invited to join a team and get cycling.

People can join the Rugby Team, led by Linda Djougang, Ireland International rugby player and Tallaght nurse; the Gaelic Football Team, led by All-Ireland winner James McCarthy; the Hurling Team, led by Leitrim and Thomas Davis hurling hero Zak Moradi; and the Football Team, led by Shamrock Rovers’ star Neil Farrugia.

From November 5 to 28, each team will battle it out in a race to clock up as many kilometres as possible, whether people are at home on their exercise bike or out on the road.

Douglas Collins, CEO of the Tallaght University Hospital Foundation (TUHF), said: “We are so grateful to our ambassadors and delighted to continue with our annual cycle for Tallaght University Hospital, albeit virtually.

Linda Djougang

“With a target of €30K, all funds raised from this year’s Virtual Cycle will go towards building a new sensory room, to improve the experience for patients attending Tallaght University Hospital’s Emergency Department with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorders.

“This sensory room will help to create a safe space for patients away from overstimulation, along with helping medical professionals provide the best treatment for our patients with these specific needs.”

Neil Farrugia

People of all ages are encouraged to take part in the virtual cycle, with the individual entry fee set at €30 and a reduced rate of €15 for schools and clubs.

Among the prizes up for grabs is a European cycling holiday for the person who clocks up the most kilometres and a hotel voucher for the most funds raised.

Zak Moradi

To encourage cashless fundraising, in accordance with the government and HSE recommendations, people can generate an iDonate fundraising page when signing up through the TUHF website.

Those not participating can support their chosen team by donating kilometres, which will help the team towards their next milestone, edging them ahead of the competition in aid of a worthy cause.

For further details or to register visit www.tuhf.ie.