Paul oils wheels for Geneva-Nice trek

OVER the past two years, West Clare Cycling Club member and Kilrush-based Paul Edson has cycled over 1,200km in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF).

Even though he has raised over €12,000 for the Irish Hospice Foundation, traversed France and crossed over the Jura mountains, the Moore Street businessman is still restless for more. So this year he is off again, on what really will be his challenge of lifetime.
This year’s IHF’s Cycle Challenge is from Geneva to Nice, a mere 550 kilometres. However, lying between the two cities are some of Europe’s highest roads. The cycle will include some of the classic Tour de France climbs ­ Alpe D’Huez, Col Du Glandon, Col Du Lauteret, Col d’Izoard, Col De Vars and the highest of all – the Cime de la Bonnette at 2,802m (9,192ft).
The total height of all those climbs combined is nearly 43,000ft, one-and-a-half times the height of Mount Everest, with all the climbs coming in just three of the five days of cycling.
Last year’s climb over the Col de la Faucille, at a modest 4,500ft, whetted Paul’s appetite to push it further, especially as he was the first cyclist to reach the summit. Paul views this as a once­in-a-lifetime opportunity to do the ultimate in cycle challenges. Of the 47 cyclists undertaking the IHF Geneva to Nice Challenge Paul is, once again, the only Clare cyclist taking part but he is proud to be able to represent the Banner and all the cyclists of the county.
Over the past two years, Paul has also developed an affinity with the organising charity. The money raised from this cycle will again be used for the Hospice Homecare for Children Programme. The IHF’s commitment, towards the Hospice
Homecare for Children programme, is now over €3 million. This will include funding five out of the eight home care nurses, who will provide palliative care to children with life-limiting illnesses in their own homes. It will also include the recruitment and funding of Ireland’s first paediatric palliative care consultant, as well as continuing to train registered nurses in children’s palliative care, so children with life-limiting illness can receive the appropriate care and treatment. The IHF has already spent approximately €500,000 on training and education for this programme, which has been running for two years, and have so far trained over 1,000, mostly, public health nurses.
With the current difficult economic times for all charities, Paul is aware that raising the required minimum of €2,500 will be difficult. Every cent he raises goes directly to charity. He is, however, confident that with the support and backing of his fellow cyclists from the West Clare Cycling Club and the people of the area, he will again reach and exceed his target.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Paul on his cycle challenge can do so at the The Family Store, Moore Street, Kilrush or online at http://www.mycharity.ie/event/paul_edsons_2011_event/