Mayo tickled pink for charity cycle

Mayo tickled pink for charity cycle


With just under two weeks until the Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle on May 4, organisers and volunteers are calling on the public to turn Mayo pink. Event organiser Yvonne Horkan is appealing for the support of people again this year to decorate areas along the three cycle routes.
Although there are three routes spiraling out from Castlebar, organisers point out, it’s not just the routes themselves that merit decorating. Hundreds of people come to Mayo from all over the country for this event.
“People made a huge effort [last year] to decorate in pink along the routes and it was such an inspiration for the cyclists. We’d love if those people would do the same again, and if even more would join them. Ribbons, flags, paint - anything will do, as long as it’s pink,” said Ms Horkan. Ms Horkan said decorations across the county would give a ‘real boost’ for everyone involved in the cycle.
“Everyone knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer, so make this a special acknowledgment of what they have been through,” added Ms Horkan
The three routes - 50k, 110k and 175k - start and finish at the Traveller’s Friend, Castlebar. The event, which is a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, will finish with a celebration banquet. The debut album of transition year student from ColΡiste na Coiribe, Galway, Laoise Nolan will be launched by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the night.
All proceeds from the album ‘In The Pink’, will go to Mayo Pink Ribbon who have raised over €268,000 for The National Breast Cancer Research Institute at NUI Galway.
The album will feature both her own original songs and some cover versions and she will be joined on the album by musician friends, ex The Stunning members, Steve Wall and Jimmy Higgins and also feature singer/songwriter, Stephen James and Frank Kilkelly from Castlebar. For details about the cycle or other Pink Ribbon events visit
www.mayopinkribbon.ie or contact Lourda McHugh on 086 8562423.