Blackrock cycling club back on the chain gang for African aid

Hundreds of cyclists took part yesterday in a 160km cycle in aid of water, health and education projects in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

The annual cycle, which is organised by the Willow Wheelers Cycling Club in Dublin, has been taking place for the past 26 years.

Participants left Blackrock, Co Dublin, at 8.45am and travelled to Trim and Ballivor in Co Meath and on to Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, where they took a break before returning to Blackrock.

The money generated from the cycle does not go to a charitable organisation. Instead the club engages directly with Irish missionaries working in deprived areas of the world who are in need of funding for local projects.

Each year, members of the club visit areas where they are providing funding.

“These trips are at our own expense as it has been our policy from the start that 100 per cent of funds raised go directly to the projects we support,” said Willow Wheelers founder Christy McDaid.