Alan cycles for 500km to Paris for Marymount

CLONAKILTY man Alan O’Driscoll cycled from London’s Crystal Palace to Paris in July in aid of Marymount Hospice – a journey of almost 500km. 

‘I set out from Cork Airport not knowing what lay ahead,  one Cork man and his bike and 482km ahead,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘With a group of over 100 others from in and around the UK, four days later we had reached the Eiffel tower, met some extraordinary people and were left moved from the stories they had to tell on why they undertook the challenge.’

Alan said he did the cycle for Marymount, as it provides essential services. ‘The trip of 482km over four days is nothing in hindsight, compared with what others must live with day in, and day out. We all have heard of the great work Marymount does and having witnessed it first hand, words can’t describe the effort, commitment and generosity staff go to to help patients and family members,’ he said.

The Clonakilty man only decided to take part eight weeks before the cycle. Once committed he started training and set himself an optimistic target  of raising €3,000.  ‘A couple of weeks later, having reached the Eiffel tower and returned home, I presented a cheque of €6,520 to Marymount. The generosity and support from people was simply unimaginable,’ he said, thanking all those who donated, sponsored and helped out leading up to the cycle. ‘That support and generosity is something I will never forget, so thank you.’