*Martin Sheppard and Peter Duggan. Photograph: Joe Buckley
CYCLISTS will take to the road this Sunday to raise much needed funds for Down Syndrome Ireland’s Clare branch.
Commencing at 09:30am outside Shannon Leisure Centre, the Odd Socks Cycle gives participants the option to cycle 50km or 100km.
Jointly organised by Club Rothaíochta na Sionainne and Down Syndrome Clare, there will be plenty of spot prizes for cyclists with the best socks on show.
In the longer 100km spin, cyclists leave Shannon and travel through Quin, Kilkishen, Bodyke and Broadford. The shorter 50km loop is via Quin, Ballycar and Newmarket-on-Fergus. Refreshements will be provided on both routes and at the finish line.
Laura Cahir of the Clare branch of Down Syndrome Ireland explained, “People with Down Syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21 and chromosomes just so happen to look like odd socks”.
She said that their local committee is made up of twelve volunteer parents “who strive to organise fundraising to help pay for essential therapies for their 85 members spread throughout the Banner County, such as speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, home tutoring, swimming, therapeutic horse riding, singing and music groups”.
All funds raised from the Odd Socks Cycle “will be so appreciated by our amazing Down Syndrome Clare members and their wonderful families. The organisers would like to acknowledge also the amazing support received from local businesses such as Zimmer, Cup Print and Carey Corbett in sponsoring the event,” she added.
