24 January 2023
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Fort2Fort Charity Cycle raises €21,675 for Cork beneficiaries
Organisers of the annual Fort2Fort Charity Cycle, which took place on Saturday, 29th October 2022, are pleased to announce that €21,675 was raised, and has been distributed to a number of local beneficiaries.
A special event took place on Wednesday, 18th January, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, where funds raised were presented to the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Fort Camden Meagher Restoration Fund, Carrigaline Men’s Shed, four Lions Clubs (Cork, Carrigaline, Cobh and Bishopstown), and Crosshaven Soccer Club. The presentation was attended by Lions District Governor, Gerald Cashman, Lions International Director, Teresa Dineen and the Presidents from each of the four Lions Clubs; as well as the Fort2Fort committee and representatives from the Mercy Hospital Foundation and other beneficiaries.
Pictured at the Presentation of the funds raised at the recent Fort2Fort Charity Cycle around Cork Harbour, were, seated from left, Gerald Cashman, District Governor, Lions Clubs of Ireland ; Louise O’Brien , Mercy Hospital Foundation and Aideen O’Flynn, Radisson Hotel Little Island.
At Rear,from left, Sam Beamish, Fort2Fort Committee ; Teresa Dineen, International Director, Lions Clubs of Ireland ; Jim O’Connor, Fort2Fort Committee Chairman ; Paschal McCarthy, C.E.O., Mercy Hospital Foundation and Declan Daly, Ulster Bank.
(Picture: Adrian O’Herlihy)
265 cyclists from 12 counties participated in the popular cycle around Cork Harbour on the October Bank Holiday Weekend, and despite the terrible weather, the event was, once again, a resounding success. The annual fundraiser has been hugely successful since it began, and has firmly established itself in the calendar of Cork’s cycling enthusiasts. Since its inception in 2012, over 4,000 cyclists have participated, raising €356,325 for the local beneficiaries.
Speaking at the presentation, Jim O’Connor, Chairman of Fort2Fort, who is retiring after five years as Chairman of the event, and 11 years total involvement with Fort2Fort, said “The success of Fort2Fort year after year has been largely due to the massive support we receive from our cyclists; but it is important to note that it also would not be possible if it wasn’t for our very generous sponsors, which allows all cyclists’ entry fees to go directly to charities.”
“Thanks must also go to the entire organising committee, and the volunteers, who give their time so selflessly to support the event. We are thrilled to support so many worthy, local causes with the funds raised from the 2022 cycle, and I am proud to have had the honour of chairing such a meaningful fundraiser over the last number of years.”
Sponsors of 2022 Fort2Fort were Cork County Council, Cup Print Ltd, Green Circle, BO’K and assoc, SB Consultants, MCK Electrical, Carbon Group, Ahern Roberts OR, M Piggott and Assoc, Radisson Blu, RDJ, Lee Garage, Cully & Sully, Kelloggs, Huhtamaki, MSL, Logitech, Arachas and Sketchers; as well as Ulster Bank which has sponsored the event every year since 2012.