A MAJOR cycling event will take place next week to raise funds for a Northside teenager with autism.
Matthew Hayes (inset), from Clontarf, was diagnosed with the condition at the age of three, but now aged 16, it has worsened significantly.
The Matthew Hayes Trust was recently established to support the youngster’s development and care.
A group of cyclists, led by Liam O’Byrne and Paul Power, have organised the Mighty Matthew Coast to Coast Cycle, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22.
The cycle will begin at the Wooden Bridge in Clontarf on the east coast and end at Westport Quay on the west coast, a journey of just over 280km. There will be one stopover at the end of Day 1 in Longford.
Liam O’Byrne said a lot of planning has gone into the event.
“We have over 40 cyclists signed up and are delighted with the response,
? said Mr O’Byrne.
“It took a bit of organising but it’s all coming together. Four outriders from Dunboyne Motor Club will be accompanying us on the trip.
“Our target is to raise
?¬30,000 which will go towards Matthew’s private schooling, occupational therapy, speech therapy and respite care.
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Matthew is at a difficult age now. He has been attending a school in Kilbarrack for children with autism since he was four-years-of-age.
He will finish there when he is 18. This will leave a huge void in Matthew’s life and leaves him with a very uncertain future.
One of those taking part in the cycle is Matthew’s father, Kevin.
“When Matthew was born, it was one of the best days of our life,
? Kevin told Northside People.
“We absolutely adored this perfect beautiful boy.
“For the first two years of his life, Matthew developed like any other child, passing all assessments with flying colours.
“Then things started to change. He stopped talking, lost all eye contact and was completely in his own world, moving further away from us every day.
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Kevin said the family’s world was turned upside down following Matthew’s diagnosis.
“It was like a bereavement but there was no time to grieve,
? he said.
“We had to pick ourselves up and get immediately on the autism road to recovery.
“We read every book and spent hours on the internet. We did every therapy and diet
that was possible. Some made a little difference but others did not.
?
Matthew has so many challenging behaviours such as self-injury.
He has rituals like OCD which have to be adhered to on a daily basis and he requires 24-hour supervision.
Kevin said his family has done everything within its powers at this stage to help Matthew.
“Matthew is a very complex case and there is limited funding to help us,
? he stated.
“There have been times we have felt we were isolated in trying to deal with all the issues that Matthew has.
“In addition, the cutbacks that have been occurring at the HSE have made life for both Matthew and our family very challenging.
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Kevin added:
“However, we have been overwhelmed and shocked by the support we have received from our family and friends who have watched us struggle over the years.
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For more information on the 2015 Mighty Matthew Coast to Coast Cycle, visit www.mightymatthew.wordpress.com
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