Charity crew in cross country cycle for kids

THIS year members of the Laurels Charity Crew in Clondalkin are getting on their bikes and cycling from Galway to Dublin in aid of a great cause.

This active local fundraising organisation began its charity work three years ago and has since raised over e125,000 in vital funds for the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation (CMRF) based at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.

Every cent raised goes to the hospital with no expenses at all reimbursed from donations.

In 2011 funds raised bought an autoscopic drill for the surgeons. And this year the crew is continuing to fundraise for the department to enable them to perform vital surgeries.

The medical team is donating their time free to perform surgeries on children with spinal deformities and the Laurels Charity Crew provides much-needed funding for this.

The cost of the surgeries has reduced from e50,000 to e15,000 and this year the charity’s hope is to raise enough money to cover the costs of 10 operations.

So far, over 200 volunteers have signed up to cycle from Galway to Dublin over the course of two days on April 21 and 22. The training program is underway and the cyclists are dusting off their helmets in preparation.

One of the organisers, Denis McCarthy, said:

“There’s a great sense of camaraderie between everyone that takes part. The cycle isn’t easy but it’s very rewarding when you get to the finish line, and of course it’s all for a great cause.

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For the next few weeks the Laurels Charity Crew will concentrate their efforts on raising more money in an effort to beat their 2011 total of over e55,000.

As well as the cycle, there will be a women’s 10k walk on September 15, plus fundraising auctions that have some money-can’t-buy prizes and lots more.

For more information visit www.laurelscharitycrew.com or www.straightaheadireland.ie