Sun shines on special day to remember an inspirational young Tipperary girl

The sun certainly shone on Sunday last for the 11th annual Sarah’s Cycle organised by Down Syndrome Tipperary.

Every year, Down Syndrome Tipperary takes the opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of the beautiful Miss Sarah Dillon from Clonmel who passed away suddenly on April 14 in 2014 at just 9 years of age.
Sarah, who would be turning 21 this year, was so full of life and love and would catch you with her cheeky grin and sassy smile.

Every year the branch, along with Sarah’s parents Brian and Trisha organise a cycle around Tipperary in her memory and to raise vital funds for Down Syndrome Tipperary.
Because of funds raised by events like the cycle the branch is able to offer a range of activites, programmes and vital therapies to 110 members and their families every week.

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The work that therapists, facilitators and volunteers do with members gives them supports, skills and a sense of confidence, pride, achievement, as well as a network of friends and allies for their whole lives.
Meitheal 21, theDown Syndrome Tipperary home, on Abbey Road in Thurles, is hive of activity and caters for all age groups to new-borns to adults.

One of the very exciting initiatives at the moment is apop-up Café every Thursday from 11 to 2 with the Source in Thurles, where adult members are receiving training and skills to support future employment opportunities.
The branch also has a great initiative with Tipperary ETB and TUS where some of adults attend programmes in TUS weekly.

This relationship with TUS was also seen last Sunday as the cycle started and finished at their Thurles Campus.
There was massive support from the cycling community with all the local clubs having a presence there, as well as cyclists from near and far.

There was a choice of three routes around Tipperary, with a midway stop in the Community Centre in Littleton and then on to entertainment and refreshments in TUS at the end.

The routes which took in Ballycahill, Holycross, Dualla, Ballynonty and on to Urlingford,showed the countryside at its finest and was reflected in the tired but happy faces at the end.

The branch greatly appreciated the huge turnout of cyclists.
“Of course an event like this takes massive preparation, and we had a huge team of volunteers, parents families and the general community of Tipperary out to help out on the day. It reflects the ongoing massive support from Tipperary to our members that we are so grateful for.

TOUR DE MUNSTER
We would also like to thank donors and sponsors who helped make the event so enjoyable and successful,” said one of the organisers.
Sarah’s Cycle is organised each year as a training spin for the Annual Tour de Munster cycle which is celebrating its 25th year this year.

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150 cyclists will complete a four-day 640km tour through Munster to raise funding for the six Munster branches of Down Syndrome Ireland in August.
If you are interested in joining this cycle, contact the branch to put you in touch with the Tour organisers.