Killarney

By Michelle Crean
<h3>It&#8217;s a decade since they began their fundraising efforts and now locals are gearing up to do it all again.</h3>
​​​The 54321 Challenge was originally started 10 years ago with a team of five people over four days, completing three cycles, and climbing two mountains for one cause – local charities.
This year it takes place from Thursday August 18 to Sunday 21 inclusive with 10 teams of five taking to the roads and mountains of Kerry in support of 10 Kerry charities including The Irish Pilgimage Trust, Kerry Hospice, Comfort for Chemo Kerry, ADAPT Kerry, Skellig Stars, Cystic Fibrosis Kerry, Sera Husky, HeartBeat Killarney, Alannah and Polly&#8217;s Fight for Sight and Scoil Iognaid Ris.
Day one begins with a cycle along the Ring of Kerry, day two they&#8217;ll climb Carrantuohil, and on the third day will cycle from Killarney to Cahersiveen via the Ballaghasheen Pass and then climb Cnoc Na Tobair. And if that isn&#8217;t enough to tire them out they&#8217;ll spend their final day cycling 70km on the Skellig Ring.
&#8220;There will also be a number of Spinathon Days and we would be delighted to welcome volunteers to participate,&#8221; TJ O&#8217;Connor said.
The first will take place on Saturday July 30 in Listowel, Killorglin, Dingle, Cahersiveen. The second on Sunday August 14 in Killarney, and on Saturday August 27 in Tralee.
The Challenge has raised almost €302,000 to date supporting a number of very deserving Kerry charities, he added.
&#8220;After the last few years, we are delighted again to be able to welcome back a greater number of participants many of those have done the challenge a number of times previously and are delighted to join in on the 10-year celebrations. It’s all of the 10&#8217;s – 10 teams to support 10 charities. Our aim this year is to try to raise €100,000 &#8211; optimistic we know, but we also know that people are good and they will be behind us all the way. We would be very grateful for any contribution to these very worthwhile causes and supporting the participants of this year’s Challenge.
There will be updates and news along the way on their social media pages.
&#8220;Please see more about the Challenge and the people taking part and to donate on Facebook: 54321 Challenge and www.54321challenge.org or via GoFundMe: 54321 Challenge &#8211; 10 Years On
If you would like further information, please call TJ O&#8217;Connor on 087 6277141, Carole Moran on 087 9471336 or Tony Dunne 086 8202832.
&#8220;With your support and donations, we can support all these very deserving causes.&#8221;

Locals are gearing up for 10th cycling challenge

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