Fighting blindness cycle arrives in nenagh

Irish patient-led charity Fighting Blindness is cycling from Mizen to Malin via Nenagh to raise vital funds for research.
A group of cyclists will started off on a six-day “Cycle For Sight”, supported by Bayer, on June 8th to raise funds for research into treatments and cures for blindness. The cycle is in aid of patient-led charity Fighting Blindness, which advocates on behalf of the 7,780 people in Tipperary who are affected by severe vision impairment.
The charity funds researchers in a number of institutions in Ireland. In addition to searching for treatments, it provides a counselling service for people and families affected by sight loss, including a recently launched Telephone Counselling Service.
Speaking about the event, Fighting Blindness Head of Fundraising, Tony Ward said: “We are delighted to visit Tipperary as part of this national fundraising event and to raise awareness about vision loss throughout the county.
It is vital that we provide information and support to everyone affected by sight loss while also funding research to find cures for these conditions. Fighting Blindness is 90% funded by the public through fundraising and donations so we depend on events like this to continue our work.”
The cyclists will be travelling almost 400 miles from Mizen Head to Malin Head stopping in a number of towns and villages along the way to help raise awareness of the fact that 75% - 80% of blindness is preventable and that people need to look after their own eye health through regular visits to an optometrist.
On Wednesday June 10th the cyclists will travel 115km from Mallow to Nenagh where they will take a well-earned break for the night. The group will set out from Nenagh the following morning on a 150km stretch to Carrick-on-Shannon.
“This is a big undertaking and we are grateful to all the participants who have put in so much work to prepare for the event. I would encourage anyone who can to get out along the route and show your support as they pass through your town,” said Mr Ward.
The Mizen To Malin Cycle starts on Monday June 8th, travelling through Bantry, Mallow, Nenagh, Carrick-on-Shannon and Donegal town before arriving at Malin Head on June 13th. For more information please visit www.FightingBlindness.ie.