• Increase font size
  • Decrease font size
  • Default font size
Home arrow News arrow Sport arrow Pensioner in trans-American cycle challenge
Pensioner in trans-American cycle challenge PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 04 April 2008
cycle.jpgA 65-year-old kindhearted Dubliner is attempting to become the first old age pensioner to cycle across the United States in a bid to raise e250,000 for Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.
Eugene O’Leary, who is semi-retired, has already raised a massive e40,000 for the hospital.
Eugene’s daughter, Helen, was a patient at the children’s hospital until she was 18 years old. However, tragically, in February 2002 she died one year after leaving the care of the hospital.
Eugene’s 10-year-old grandson Dylan O’Leary is now also a patient in Crumlin hospital and is receiving chemotherapy treatment for non-malignant but aggressive bone tumours.
Eugene has already raised over e40,000 for the hospital over the last few years by taking part in their overseas cycle challenges in Durban, South Africa; Lake Balaton, Hungary; Flagstaff, Arizona and last year in Niagara, Ontario.
Each of these challenges involved cycling a distance of 100 kilometres (62 miles) a day for five days.
And the fit semi-retired administrator at the Drug Awareness Centre in Howth has a very busy schedule ahead of him for the next year and a half.

This September he will take part in the hospital’s cycle challenge in Monterey, California.
Earlier in the year, on June 2, he will embark on a  150-mile fundraising cycle from the Galway Docks to Howth.
But his biggest challenge will take place from June 2, 2009 to Monday, August 10, 2009, over a course of 50 days, when he hopes to cycle across America and raise e250,000 in sponsorship for the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
On the May and June bank holiday weekends this year Eugene will cycle each day on a stationary bicycle at the entrance to the East Pier in Howth to raise money for his various fundraising trips.
Praising the staff at Crumlin Children’s hospital, Eugene said: “The staff at Crumlin are absolutely fantastic and always have been as far as we are concerned. For instance when my daughter Helen died you would swear to God that the nurses were her parents and it was like a child of their own had died. They take everything to heart and they are really dedicated people.”
Eugene is also looking for a corporate sponsor to meet the e10,000 cost of his trip across America next year.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation can log on to www.the-pedaling-pensioner.org. You can also get more information on Eugene’s Bebo page at www.PedalingPensioner.bebo.com
All donations will be paid directly to the Children's Medical and Research Foundation at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin.
Eugene is also asking people with access to a printer to request a copy of his poster at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and print one or two off and put them up in  local shops.
He can be contacted directly on 0860571612 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Hamilton powers to karting victory

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

article thumbnail Alex Hamilton (11), from Foxrock, recently scooped one of Ireland’s most prestigious titles in motorsport, the All-Ireland Karting Championships in the Cadets class. The St Brigid’s...
+ Full Story

Irish Paralympic team announced

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

article thumbnail Forty-five elite athletes across nine sports will represent us at the Beijing Games that get underway on September 6 and will run for 12 days. The Paralympic Games are elite Olympic style sports...
+ Full Story

Baldwin leaves big boots to fill

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

article thumbnail Tom Baldwin, captain of the Under 16 team at St Paul’s Artane, is leaving to join Stockport County, a club managed by former eircom League of Ireland player, Jim Gannon. And Baldwin...
+ Full Story

Athlete’s career given a boost

Thursday, 10 July 2008

article thumbnail Dundrum South Dublin (DSD) athlete, Linda Byrne, has had a strong year in the field.  Byrne was one of Ireland’s top performers at the European World Cross Country Championships in...
+ Full Story

More Articles
Advertisement

Island Banners

Advertisement

Website Poll

Was Bertie right to resign as Taoiseach?
 

Advertise

Advertise Online with the Dublin People. Great rates available.  Click Here

Private Ads Login

Existing Client? Login. Otherwise click place private ad.





Lost Password?
No account yet? Register