Dearbhail takes on 150 mile cycle to raise funds for Kildare cancer support services

Dearbhail McKee, a Director of the Little Way Cancer Support Centre in Clane is embarking on a 150 mile cycle challenge from Sligo to Clane this month to raise funds for cancer support services in Kildare. 

The cycle is due to take place on the weekend of September 21 to 23 (weather permitting).

The challenge recognises three significant milestones. The centre is celebrating 20 years of offering cancer support services to the Kildare community. The founder of the centre Evelyn McKee was 80 when she passed away and her daughter Dearbhail has just turned 50, hence the 150 mile challenge.

Since May 1, Dearbhail has been training for this challenge embarking on early morning runs, Sunday cycles and attending the gym to build up her stamina. The cycle challenge will take place over two days, although she hopes to do it quicker. As part of the challenge is it hoped to have a 20km walk/run from outside Mullaghmore to Clane.

Meanwhile, from September14 to  17 the charity will also host a spinathon in support of this challenge at various locations

around Kildare. The ethos of the Little Way is to support the person not the cancer. In her role as centre Director, Dearbhail has seen at first hand the challenges that those who are affected by cancer endure and so this challenge is to support them and not the cancer. 

The centre receives little government funding for the provision of these essential services. The centre has clients accessing their services from all over the county of Kildare. In 2022 the service provided over 850 hours of emotional and holistic therapy support to those affected by cancer. These services are provided free of charge to those affected by cancer.

All funds raised will go directly to providing counselling, holistic therapies, support groups and wellbeing workshops for those who are affected by cancer.

This autumn they have a schedule of educational workshops and events starting with the Think Ahead advanced care planning workshop taking place on September 21. On September 29 in Clongowes at 7pm, they will host a 20 year Thanksgiving Celebration of Hope, Survivorship and Remembrance for all those affected by cancer.

Other wellbeing initiatives being rolled out over the coming weeks include Art Classes, Look Good Feel Good and Support Groups. Little Way are grateful for the generous support that the Kildare community have been able to give to ensure that these vital services can be made accessible to those on their cancer journey.

Dearbhail said; "It is a service for the community with the support from the community we can ensure that all those that need to access these vital services can at a time in their life when they need that emotional support. All donations raised will go directly to the provision of these services in Kildare."

To support Dearbhail in this challenge you can log onto the idonate page as follows: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/150MileChallenge

The Little Way Cancer Support Centre is open Monday – Friday and can be contacted on 045902996 or by email at [email protected].