Kms4kids a day for the whole family
Cycle one lap or many in Rahugh fundraiser on September 5
The Kms4Kids cycling fundraiser is a day for the family, the organisers want to emphasise, even though it might seem a long event.
Don’t let that put you off, says Maurice FitzGerald, whose idea the event is: “It’s a family day out and it’s suitable for everyone, national school kids, teens, everyone,” says Maurice.
What makes this cycle different is that it takes place on a 6.5km lap around Rahugh NS, starting at 7am and running till 7pm on Saturday September 5, and participants can do as much or as little as they like, at any speed they like, at any time they like, within the 12 hours.
There are designated times for U13s – 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm – when the already well marshalled route with have extra escort vehicles for additional safety.
The event is a fundraiser for the Neonatal Wards of the Rotunda Hospital Dublin and the Neonatal Ward of the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, and a percentage of money raised will be donated to the Rahugh NS Development Fund.
It is a way for the Fitzgerald and Kelly families to give something back to the neonatal staff who helped them when ‘the Kelly Quads’ were born in February. Maurice Fitzgerald is the uncle of the brothers, Tom, James, Charlie and Luke, and their 20-month-old brother Matthew.
Already signed up for Kms4Kids are Tyrrellspass Up and Running, who plan to do it as a relay, and Maurice is inviting GAA and other teams as well: “They use do it as a relay and make it part of a team-building effort,” he suggested.
As well as the community spirit and the exercise, there are lots of prizes.
Everyone who enters will go into a draw for two nights’ B&B at the Malton Hotel in Killarney; and there is a raffle, the main prizes for which include signed Leinster rugby jerseys and a road bike worth €800, plus vouchers and a selection of other items.
Maurice says that if you can’t make the event, but would like to donate, you can do so online (Google mycharity + Kms4Kids). If you make a contribution of €10 or more, you will be entered in the draw (make sure to mention that in your mycharity message).
Rahugh is ‘a beautiful place for a cycle’
Joe Henson, chairman of Rahugh NS Board of Management, says he hasn’t done much cycling lately but: “I will get out the bike and do a few laps.”
Joe and his colleagues on the board are looking forward to the September 5 Kms4Kids event, when they will be helping with the organisation as well as taking part as time allows.
“This was Maurice’s proposal initially,” said Joe. “He said he’d like to do it and for a portion of funds raised to go towards school.
“Rahugh is beautiful little rural school, and we make a big effort made to keep it modernised and up to date, to keep it viable so the children have every facility they need.”
He explained that funds raised in Kms4Kids will go to whatever is the priority at the time they’re received, whether that be painting or other maintenance, or equipment.
Looking ahead to the event, Joe said: “Rahugh, to be fair, is a beautiful, scenic rural area – there’s the school, the church, the hall and the pub, which will hopefully be open by then.
“One important feature of the area is the esker ridge, which remains untouched and is beautiful in the autumn – it makes this an attractive little spot,” said Joe.