Appeal for support of Mayo Pink Ribbon Virtual Charity Cycle 2021
Mayo Pink Ribbon has launched the 2021 Mayo Pink Ribbon Virtual Charity Cycle – ‘300k Your Way’.
This innovative and fun event will bring participants on a virtual 300km journey around the beautiful county of Mayo while raising vital funds for breast cancer research.
A unique feature of this event is that participants cover the journey their own preferred way.
They can cycle, walk or run in their own local area, adhering to all travel guidelines, and combine the distances covered to reach the finish line, and in doing so they will follow a breathtaking virtual route showcasing the beauty, landscape and history of the county.
The ‘300k Your Way’ challenge is being held in place of the annual Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle which usually takes place on the May bank holiday weekend.
Since its inaugural event in 2010 more than 2,000 cyclists have taken part, with over €1.14 million raised for breast cancer research at the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, NUI Galway.
The event will run from now until May 31, so participants have three months to complete the challenge at their own pace.
The virtual journey starts in the Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park, an area of unspoiled, natural wilderness, and curves around much of the county until it finishes on the incredibly beautiful Keem Bay in Achill, 300km later.
There will be lots to look forward to along the way – participants can track their progress on a interactive map and as they pass through significant journey milestones, email updates will be received with stunning photos and a host of interesting information.
There will be lots of opportunities to engage with the event via social media and participants are being encouraged to share their stories and photos.
Lourda McHugh, founder of the Mayo Pink Ribbon charity, said: “The fundraising we do is so vital to bringing about real change in breast cancer research that whilst we are extremely disappointed not to be able to run our physical cycle this year, we are really delighted to be able to bring this exciting virtual alternative.
“We hope old friends, and new, from all over the world can join us to help make this a great event and raise vital funds for the NBCRI.
“Here at Mayo Pink Ribbon we passionately believe that by working together we can make a real difference in the fight against breast cancer.”
Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, a patron of Mayo Pink Ribbon, said: “The fundraising efforts of Mayo Pink Ribbon over the years has made a real and significant difference to people’s lives.
"The research undertaken at the NBCRI has led to radically improved outcomes and prognosis for so many and ultimately many lives have been saved because of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute funded research.”
Registration is now open at https://www.myvirtualmission.com/missions/97079/mayo-pink-ribbon-charity-cycle-300k-your-way.
The entry fee is €20 – the majority of this fee goes towards the organising and administration of the challenge so all participants are encouraged to undertake some additional fundraising alongside their challenge.
They can set up an I-Donate page online and share with friends and family or request a sponsorship card to be sent by post, by sending an email to info@mayopinkribbon.ie, or they can simply log onto www.mayopinkribbon.ie to make a direct donation.
All funds raised go directly towards research into breast cancer at the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, NUI Galway (https://breastcancerresearch.ie/).
Lourda explained that this year, due to the challenges of Covid, fundraising efforts, while they are more challenging, are more important than ever, as she explained: “Without money there is no research, without research there is no cure - without financial support there is neither.”
For further information, please visit www.mayopinkribbon.ie or follow Mayo Pink Ribbon on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.