Nicholas Roche among top pros to ride in virtual charity cycle in memory of Adrian Mullan

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, Foyle Cycling Club have found a novel way to organise their annual Adrian Mullan sportive in memory of their former member who was tragically killed riding his bike around his beloved Donegal in October 2015.

So rather than having to cancel the event, the club has moved online with cyclists encouraged to join in the 41km route from home using the online platform, Zwift which will replace the traditional route around Inishowen.

Traditionally the sportive raises funds for the Foyle Hospice and was scheduled for last Saturday, April 18th. Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, Foyle CC didn’t want the sportive to just disappear this year with the hospice losing out on vital fundraising.

Therefore, tomorrow at 11.30 a.m. cyclists from all over Ireland are invited to take part in this incredibly special sportive to support charities during these incredibly challenging times.

Top Irish internationals Nicholas Roche, Eddie Dunbar, Ryan Mullen, Imogen Cotter, Mark Donwey, Chris McGlinchey and Irish National Road Champion Sam Bennett have confirmed they will ride the 41km event in aid of charity. To join the event simply log onto zwift.com and join the event at https://www.zwift.com/events/view/613943

Anyone wishing to take part and ride with the pros is encouraged to donate in advance through the following link - https://www.gofundme.com/f/irish-cyclists-foyle-cc-adrian-mullan-sportive

Participants can communicate with each other and the pros during the event by using the Cycling Ireland discord channel on the Discord App (http://www.cyclingireland.ie/downloads/discord%20set-up.pdf)

This year the Adrian Mullan Sportive donations will go to the Irish Red Cross and the Foyle Hospice.

The Irish Red Cross are providing essential support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Working on the frontline on a daily basis the Red Cross are providing: Support for HSE ambulances; A Covid-19 Hardship fund; Community support work to families unable to afford food and basic essentials as a result of losing their jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the Covid-19 crisis the Irish Red Cross members have also: Transported people to chemotherapy appointments and other vital medical appointments; Delivered 20,000 Covid-19 safety information leaflets; Carried out well-being checks for vulnerable people in the community; Delivered prescriptions for older or isolating people; Organised food deliveries for older or isolating.

The Foyle Hospice provides ongoing palliative care services for patients with cancer and other life limiting illnesses while supporting their families and loved ones in the North West. Their commitment is to improve the quality of life of patients while

extending care and support to their families and loved ones.

The hospice is also facing extreme challenges during this pandemic not least of which is a drop off in fundraising.

This is an opportunity for the cyclists of Ireland to come together to support two worthy charities in the ongoing battle against covid-19.