Paul to pedal 500km for Irish Hospice Foundation

TWELVE months ago, Kilrush cyclist Paul Edson peddled from Dublin to Paris to mark his recovery from prostate cancer.

Having successfully completed that charity cycle, he has signed up for part two of what he terms “the punishment”.
On July 25, he will cycle out of Paris for a four-day cycle challenge of more than 500km, through France, over the alpine climbs and on to the finish in Geneva. In fact, Paul will be Clare’s only representative undertaking this cycle challenge. Apart from wanting to complete the cycle, his other priority is to raise €3,500 for the Irish Hospice Foundation.
“The money raised from the cycle will be used for the Hospice Homecare for Children Programme,” Paul explained. The Irish Hospice Foundation’s commitment is now over €3 million towards the Hospice Homecare for Children programme. This will include funding five out of eight homecare nurses who will provide palliative care to children with life-limiting illnesses in their own homes,” he added.
He said that the money raised will also help with 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. This would mean that children in their care with life-limiting illness can receive the appropriate care and treatment.
The Irish Hospice Foundation has spent approximately €500,000 on training and education over the last two years and it has trained 1,000 mostly public health nurses.
“I am hoping to raise at least €3,500 for the Irish Hospice Foundation through my endeavours. Like last year’s cycle challenge, I have paid all the expenses for the trip from my own pocket so that all the monies I raise will go directly to the charity,” Paul noted.
He said that apart from the fundraising aspect, he is keen to establish if he is up to the cycling side of the task.
“As a long-time, keen cyclist and one of the driving forces behind the West Clare Cycling Club, I have experienced many types of cycles but the prospect of riding over the 4,340ft Col de la Faucille will be a whole new, exciting and daunting challenge,” he predicted.
Anyone who would like to sponsor Paul Edson on his cycle challenge can do so at the The Family Store, Moore Street or on-line at www.mycharity.ie/event/paul_edsons_2010_event/.