SIXTY-TWO cyclists will embark on a journey from the east coast to west coast this week to raise funds for a Clontarf teen with autism.
The Mighty Matthew Charity Cycle 2016 will take place on August 19 and 20 with the group set to travel from Dublin to Lahinch, County Clare, in aid of the Matthew Hayes Trust.
For the first two years of life, Matthew Hayes (18) developed like any other child. He passed all assessments with flying colours. Then things started to change.
He stopped talking, lost all eye contact with other people and was completely in his own world moving further away from those around him every day.
Matthew continues to have many challenging behaviours, demanding OCD habits and sensory issues as well as needing 24-hour care.
The cycle aims to raise funds for a respite facility to care for Matthew on a regular basis to allow his family to rest and recharge.
This will be the second annual cycle. Last year a group of 37 made their way from the capital to Westport, County Mayo.
This year’s trip will start from the bottom of Vernon Avenue, Clontarf where the Pigeon House is kindly offering breakfast in the morning to all cyclists before they depart.
On the first day, the cyclists will travel through rest points at Clane, Dangan and Ballycumber before arriving at their halfway point in Ballinasloe where they will stay overnight before heading south-west for Lahinch at 8.30am.
They will then go through Athenry, Kinvara, Fanore and the Cliffs of Moher before finally concluding the cycle at their final destination at the seaside town in West Clare.
Liam O’Byrne, from Hession Hairdressing in Clontarf, was one of the organisers of the 2015 event. He said the circumstances in which the family and Matthew live in every day made him want to take action.
“We decided we were going to do something for him and help the family out in any way we could,” said Liam.
“So last year we went to Westport with 37 people. We went to people and said: ‘look this is what we are trying to do’, and encouraged them to take part and try to raise around €500 each.”
The event went so well that many of the cyclists were eager to go for another trip this year on a much sterner physical test.
“Last year was a great success so this year we tried to get more cyclists on board, push ourselves further in distance and increase the difficulty,” added Liam.
To find out more or to donate towards this worthy cause, visit www.matthewhayestrust.org
Brein McGinn