Two Tipperary stops on Garda cycle from Dublin to Cork to raise funds for sick children

This Thursday dozens of hero Gardaí will set off on a gruelling 270km cycle trip across the country to raise much needed funds for seriously ill children.

The lycra clad boys in blue will leave the Bridewell Garda station in the capital and will cycle 270km to the Bridewell Garda Station in Cork City, arriving there the next day.

Their stops include the Garda College in Templemore as well as Cashel.

And they are hoping to raise ten of thousands of euro for Little Blue Heroes, a not-for-profit charity operated entirely by volunteers.

The charity was set up to help families in need from local communities in Ireland who have children undergoing long-term medical treatment for serious illness.

Barry Ryan, a Garda who is taking part in the charity cycle, said: “The name ‘Little Blue Heroes’ came about when we found that the children we support have a fascination with police uniform, equipment and vehicles.

“This has even led some of the children to make a wish to become an Honorary Garda and become part of the Garda family.

"As heroes to us with the battles they face, these children have become our Little Blue Heroes,"

The charity has no paid staff and the volunteers come from the rangs of Garda members and staff, retired Garda members, their families, friends and civic minded people from communities. 

This the fifth year the station to station cycling fundraiser has been run and in 2017 cyclists rose over € 18,000 for the Jack & Jill Foundation.

This year there are around 40 cyclists taking part. Each cyclist who takes part will pay for their own accommodation and other expenses along the way and each will raise a minimum amount of €200.

Garda Ryan said: “All funds raised will go directly to the Little Blue Heroes. We will leave the Bridewell at exactly 9am on the 1st of August stopping at Clane, Emo and overnighting in the Garda College Templemore.

“The second day will see us continue south stopping at Cashel, Mitchelstown, Watergrasshill and then through Cork city finishing at our sister Station, Bridewell Cork.

“This is our fifth charity cycle using this route and it has been hugely successful in the past providing much needed financial to various charities.”