Malin to Mizen cycle for cystic fibrosis on track to raise over €1 million since 2016

Donegal people are being called on to support 44 volunteers as they cycle from Malin head to Mizen head raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI), the national charity for cystic fibrosis (CF) in Ireland. The target for 2024 is €100,000 and if achieved, will mean a staggering €1,000,000 has been raised since this cycle started in 2016.   

The cycle starts in Malin Head on Thursday September 12 and will take four days to cover 640 kilometres in their cycle to Mizen Head, which they aim to reach on Sunday September 15. Members of the public are invited to come out and show their support as the cyclists pass through the towns and villages along the way. 

The first cycle was set up in memory of Triona Priestley, who passed away ten years ago from CF when she was just 15 years old. Triona’s mother, Bernie Priestley has been a driving force behind this event over the past 10 years and is now Chairperson of CFI.

“In the 10 years since Triona passed, the CF landscape in Ireland has changed dramatically and so much progress has been made” says Bernie.

“Triona was always a voice for people with CF in Ireland and I think she would be so proud and amazed of where we are today. To carry on her legacy in this way, surrounded by others including her friends, all working for the same goal, is an emotional, and powerful thing.”

According to the latest data from the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Ireland (CFRI) there are 1,342 people with CF in Ireland, 83% of whom are eligible for the new modulator therapy which treats the underlying cause of CF. 

“We are so grateful that our members and the public have dedicated almost ten years to this event - the support it provides is transformative” commented interim CEO of CFI Sarah Tecklenborg.

“CF has always been an exceptionally challenging condition and since the roll out of the highly effective modulator therapies, that hasn’t changed. But what has changed is the nature of these challenges which reflects how living with CF is changing at pace. As an organisation we must ensure that our services evolve and adapt to continue to meet the needs of people living with CF in Ireland. This is only made possible by the incredible support of events like our Malin to Mizen cycle.”

Marc McCarron, from Letterkenny, lives with Cystic Fibrosis and comments, "As a person with CF I have availed of the CFI Exercise Grant and the PPE Grant during Covid. These supports are only possible by the funds and awareness raised by the Malin to Mizen cycle and other events like it. That's why it is so important, not only to CFI, but to me, my family and the rest of the CF Community in Donegal and I would urge everyone to get behind CFI and help keep providing essential support to its members."

If you cannot make it on the day to show your support, you can make a donation or to find out more about the services and support CFI provide, visit their website.