A BIG-HEARTED businessman is preparing to undertake a gruelling 6,000km cycle in aid of three children’s hospitals.
Mark Keating, the director/owner of Whitewater, a water purification plant based in Stillorgan, plans to cycle from Dublin to Belgrade and back again in a bid to raise
?¬60,000 for Temple Street Children’s University Hospital, Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin and The Mother and Child Hospital in Serbia.
His route will take him across 12 countries after he departs Dublin on his first solo charity cycle challenge on August 12.
In 1993 Mark volunteered for 18 months with the Red Cross, helping to improve the lives of people and children shattered by the war in the former Yugoslavia.
“Today, 20 years on, I would like to use this anniversary as a catalyst to help improve the lives of children here in our hospitals as well as once more helping children in the former Yugoslavia,
? he said.
Mark aims to raise
?¬26,000 for Temple Street and Crumlin Children’s Hospitals and e8,000 for the Mother and Child Hospital in Belgrade.
Whitewater will be matching all funds to play their part in helping him reach his target of e60,000.
The money will be used to purchase three vital pieces of equipment that Mark and the team from Whitewater have their eyes on.
These include a ventilation machine for Temple Street, a brain monitor for Crumlin and a skin graft machine for The Mother and Child Hospital.
Tim Quinn, the Managing Director of Whitewater, said:
“After more than 80 years in business we would like to give something back to the wider community.
“For us, Mark’s 6,000km Cycle for Kids Challenge is about putting our support behind people’s kindness and generosity of spirit, while supporting three very worthwhile hospital causes.
?
Speaking on behalf of the fundraising teams of the three children’s hospitals, Gerry Cully said they were all so grateful for Mark’s support.
“The money raised will help purchase vital life saving equipment making a real and lasting difference in the lives of so many of our little patients,
? he said.
“We wish Mark the very best of luck with this grueling cycle challenge.
?
While the Whitewater Foundation has received tremendous support from their main sponsors including Herco Wassertechnik GmbH in Germany they are still a long way off their target.
They are hoping for many more donations to reach the magical e60,000 mark to allow them to buy this life saving equipment and make a real and lasting difference in the lives of so many children.
For more information and to track Mark’s progress visit www.whitewaterfoundation.org