IKA charity cycle stopping at Mullingar

This Wednesday Peter Conboy will embark on a remarkable five-day 240km charity Cycle of Life from Dublin to Salthill and will be me making a stop-off in Mullingar on Thursday.

Peter's trip will start from Temple Street Children’s Hospital on Wednesday morning at 10.30am and will end at the National Commemorative Garden for organ donors in Salthill, Galway on Sunday.

Unlike other long-distance charity rides, the Galway native will tow a dialysis machine, symbolising the journey of patients on dialysis towards the hope of a life-saving transplant. This extraordinary endeavour aims to raise awareness and funds (through Peter’s iDonate Cycle of Life) for the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) and spark conversations about the critical importance of organ donation.

Peter’s commitment to this cause stems from the past experience of chronic kidney disease by his wife Liz Ferry, a native of Falcarragh, in Donegal.

Diagnosed at thirteen, she became a patient at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, and she endured peritoneal dialysis at home for six nights a week, for eleven hours at a time, until a donor kidney became available less than a year later. She underwent her life-changing kidney transplant at Beaumont Hospital in May 2002.

Peter’s arrival at the symbolic garden in Salthill is his way of honouring the family of Liz’s donor, who made the admirable decision to donate their loved one’s organs 22 years ago, granting Liz a successful and long-lasting kidney transplant.

Reflecting on this, Peter explained, “This was the first chapter in a new life for Liz, enabling her to complete her college degree, travel the world, marry me, and enjoy life to the full. None of this would have been possible without the selfless decision made by her donor’s family. We are eternally grateful.”

Liz reflected on her kidney journey, “As a young teenager, facing an uncertain future with chronic renal disease was incredibly tough. My confidence was shaken, and I often wondered what my future would hold. The gift of a donor's kidney gave me a future that most people take for granted. It allowed me to meet the love of my life and share a wonderful life with Peter.”

Peter shared, “I’d love for people to come out to meet me in the towns I stop in along the way, or give me a wave if they see me, but most of all I hope I will remind people to support the work of the Irish Kidney Association and also to share their wishes about organ donation. I encourage everyone to carry a donor card, note their consent on your driving license with code 115, or set up the organ donor app on your phone.”

Peter and Liz will be stopping off at the Joe Dolan statue for a few hours this Thursday, August 1, from around midday where he will be greeted by local members of the Irish Kidney Association.