Freya Clair, Lucy O’Brien, Yasmin Monaghan, Tina Lee Cahill and Ciara O’Loughlin at the Odd Socks Cycle. Photograph: Joe Buckley
OVER 350 cyclists took part in the fifth annual Odd Socks Cycle on Sunday.
For the second year running, 350 cyclists headed off from Shannon towards East Clare on the 50km and 100km routes as part of the fundraiser for Down Syndrome Clare.
Club Rothaíochta na Sionnaine organised the cycle on behalf of Down Syndrome Clare with the goal of raising an awareness of Down Syndrome and funds for the local branch whilst wearing odd socks.
People with Down Syndrome are born with three copies of chromosome 21 and when viewed under a microscope, the chromosomes appear like odd socks, hence the name of the cycle. This year’s cycle took place on the same weekend as World Down Syndrome Day.
“We are immensely proud of the overwhelming response and support we have received for the odd socks charity cycle and raffle” said Maeve Crawford, branch secretary. “It is heartening to see so many cyclists take part in the cycle and support the Down Syndrome community here in Co Clare. Special mention also has to go to Louise Craig and Neil Gillespie from Shannon cycling club who could run a country with their organising skills, and were integral to making this event a huge success”.
All proceeds from the event will be directed towards supporting the services and initiatives of Down Syndrome Clare, enriching the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and their families. The branch has recently obtained planning permission to renovate a property in Ennis for use as its branch headquarters, where services and therapies can run from and act as a community and social hub.
Both Ei Electronics and Cup Print provided sponsorship for the cycle.
