Edenderry’s Pat Jones Memorial Cycle to raise funds for Kildare-based disability support group

Team905 Cycling Club has launched the Pat Jones Memorial Cycle.

The Cycle is a special event dedicated to the memory of one of the club’s founding members who passed away suddenly in 2012.

Each year the Edenderry-based club holds the event to honour Pat’s legacy while also supporting a worthy cause in the community.

This year the chosen charity is Kare, an organisation that provides services and supports for people with intellectual disabilities in the Kildare, east Offaly and west Wicklow areas.

Team905 Chairperson, Seamus Collins, said that he is excited about the collaboration with Kare this year: "We have two objectives with the Pat Jones; to organise a well-run cycling event, and to support local community groups.

"Kare’s initiative to make cycling available to persons with disabilities is an excellent idea, and fits perfectly with Team905’s values."

Maria O'Reilly, Kare’s Edenderry Local Service Leader, added: "We’re very grateful to Team905 for selecting Kare as their chosen charity for this year’s Pat Jones Memorial Cycle. 

"Both Kare and Team 905 are rooted in local community. 

"The funds raised from the cycle will help us to keep supporting people with intellectual disabilities in our community to live their best lives. 

"Thanks also to Brendan O'Neill from Hire Station, provider of bikes including disability bikes, for attending the launch event."

Event organiser Brendan McAuliffe also said: "It’s our way of remembering Pat and of doing something for the local community."

"It’s a great day out, attracting members of cycling clubs from all around the midlands and beyond."

Furthermore, club co-founder Nick Noonan, who is also a long-time friend of Pat, said: "Pat brought a wonderful, encouraging presence to our Sunday morning spins.

"He was a great community man, and we’re proud to run the Pat Jones Memorial Cycle each year in his honour."

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Team905 Cycling Club was founded in 2009 and draws its members from the north Offaly and north-west Kildare area, who can be seen pedalling the roads of the region each weekend.

The club's name comes from the traditional departure time for the Sunday morning spin: 9.05am. 

The Pat Jones cycle attracts more than 200 cyclists from all over the country to Edenderry to take on either a 40 kilometres or 90 kilometres route. 

The event has raised over €45,000 for local charities in the 10 years it has been running, and continues to go from strength to strength.

The cycle was officially launched with an event on February 19, in Kare’s Edenderry day service, where people with intellectual disabilities living in the community are supported by Kare to connect with others, learn, grow and live a life of choice.

The event was attended by representatives from the 905 club, staff and service users from Kare, as well as members of the local community.

Click here to register to take part in the Pat Jones Memorial Cycle.

For more information on how to support or donate, visit the Team905 Facebook page or contact fundraising@kare.ie.

The Pat Jones Memorial Cycle will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024.