Cycling club raises over €25,000 for charity behind Cong’s Daisy Lodge

Cyclists from New Beginnings Cycling Club have presented children’s cancer charity, Cancer Fund for Children, with €25,000.

Cancer Fund for Children is the charity behind the Daisy Lodge short break centre in Cong, which is due to open in 2026, with construction commencing later this year.

The Galway cycling club took on a two-day, 320 kilometre cycling challenge last month to support children and young people diagnosed with cancer across the island of Ireland.

Starting in Westmanstown, Dublin, participants glided through Mullingar and Athlone before ending their first day at Ballinasloe. They then continued through Clonbur, and Leenaun on day two, before reaching their destination at Clifden, Co. Galway.

Speaking at the presentation, Ollie Brogan, participant and Chairman of New Beginnings Cycling Club, thanked ‘all those who made this event a reality’.

Mr Brogan announced that next year’s cycle fundraiser will take place from Mayo 9-11, and the route will stretch 300 kilometres, from Dublin to Cong.

_{Pictured at Daisy Lodge Cong (Photo:Trish Forde)}

Every week, across the island of Ireland, an average of ten children and young people are diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer Fund for Children provides flexible emotional, social and therapeutic support to children and young people living with cancer across all 32 counties on the island of Ireland. This specialist support can be delivered in the hospital, at home, in the community and at the charity’s existing Daisy Lodge short-break centre in Down.

Phil Alexander, CEO of Cancer Fund for Children, said: “This generous donation will make such an impact and help us continue to provide vital support to families to help ensure they don’t have to face childhood cancer alone.”

Find out more about Cancer Fund for Children and Daisy Lodge on their website.