Fancy cycling from Donnybrook to Kilkenny? Well that’s exactly what 35 dauntless guards from Donnybrook and Irishtown stations (known as the ‘E’ district) did on a crisp sunny September day just past when they took on the arduous 120km journey from the garda station at Donnybrook to Kilkenny. The reason: to raise money for a very important children’s charity, the ‘Little Blue Hero’s Foundation’. LBH is a not-for-profit charitable foundation established by Garda staff which aims to support families with children who have a serious illness and who are in need. In addition the foundation aims to provide Garda-themed distractions via activities, events, toys, books etc. The foundation focuses completely on providing practical help for families who have exhausted all other avenues of assistance and assists with the financial stresses that come with caring for a critically ill child, practical support like financial assistance for transport costs to and from hospital visits and such like.
The peloton departed with much excitement and banter from the carpark at the rear of Donnybrook Garda Station at around 8.30am on the 16th September led out by recently retired Garda Derek Dempsey. Derek was a well known and highly respected Community Garda for Sandymount and Irishtown and has just completed 35 years service with an Garda Síochána.
Sgt Kieran O’Neill told NewsFour: “Due to the current pandemic I had expected this event to be a low key affair but I am absolutely blown away by the level of support we have received from local businesses and members of the community who have been donating on our idonate page at www.idonate.ie/Roadmules.
“This is first time the ‘E’ District has run such an event and I suppose as well as raising funds for a charity close to our hearts, it is an opportunity for us to show that we are not just about policing the community but supporting the community in whatever way we can and developing our relationship with the community.”
Kieran and all involved would like to send out a big Thank You to their sponsors: Spar at Woodbine and Montrose, Donnybrook Fair, Roly’s Bistro, Donnybrook Cycles, Supervalu Ranelagh, Slatterys Pub, Sky, Frisby & Associates, Facebook, Irish Laundry Equipment & Services, Amazon, The Madigan Group.
In total nearly €25,000 was raised. A fantastic achievement and for a really deserving cause as well. NewsFour says well done to all the men and women of an Gardaí for going all out for this really worthwhile event.
You can still donate to Little Blue Heroes up to Oct. 16th at www.idonate.ie/Roadmules
