Garry cycle return tops €160,000

IN excess of €160,000 has been raised for local charities over the years in the Michael Garry Memorial Cycle, held annually in Cooraclare.

The 2011 event, held on August 28 last, realised €12,500, whilst a local calendar A Day in the Life of Cooraclare added a further €1,000 to the kitty. This money has now been distributed to the following charities: Munster Branch of Spina Bifida and the Hydrochephalus Association (€3,000), Kilkee-based Voices for Autism (€2,000), Declan O’Shea Trust (€2,000), TLC4CF (€1,500), West Clare Mental Health Association (€1,500), Clare ISPCA (€1,000), Jack and Jill Foundation (€1,000), Clarecare (€1,000) and Kilmihil-based Paw Pourri (€500).
This year’s cycle will take place on Saturday, September 15 and, once again, approximately 90 cyclists will meander their way around the highways and byways of the West Clare parish, including a visit to Michael’s grave in Kilmacduane. This will be the ninth hosting of the event, something the Garry family had not envisaged in 2004.
“It’s hard to imagine that it’s nine years on the go. When we started it was solely to raise funds for Spina Bifida, as a thank you to a local family who got Dad’s grave ready. To-date we’ve been able to give them €45,000 and a further 16 charities have also benefited,” Joe Garry explained.
The Garry family organise the event and all proceeds go directly to charity as expenses are covered by local businesses. “Friends and neighbours have been very supportive of the event since the very beginning. It’s is a real community effort and it’s great to be able to help children with special needs, particularly in today’s cutback climate.”