Laois Today: Three Powerpoint Engineering employees take on Malin to Slea Head cycle in aid of DEBRA Ireland

During the lockdowns of COVID-19, stuck in lovely Laois, three employees of Powerpoint Engineering in Portlaoise came up with the escapist idea to raise much needed money for DEBRA Ireland by cycling from the top to the bottom of Ireland.

The idea “got wheels” and we now Conor McGarry, David Phelan and Johan Erasmus have only two weeks to go before they embark on a three-day 540km cycle from from June 25-27 that will take them from Malin Head in Donegal to Slea Head in the wilds of the Dingle Peninsula.

The lads will start at Malin Head and embark a 200km cycle on the first day that will bring them to Strandhill in Sligo where they’ll stay overnight before hitting the road for Rosaveel in Galway on the second day.

They’ll then get the ferry across to Doolin where they’ll set out on the final leg of the journey that will finish on Ireland’s most westerly point at Slea Head on the Dingle peninsula.

This charity cycle has been inspired by fellow Laois person, Emma Fogarty. Emma, who lives in Abbeyleix, suffers from EB and is a Patient Ambassador for DEBRA Ireland.

EB means that Emma’s skin is as fragile as the wings of a butterfly. Unfortunately there is no cure or treatment and for Emma the only way of controlling the wounds is constant bandage changes every second day.

Emma has kindly offered her support for this cycle and says it’s a good omen that the cycle co-incides with her birthday.

“I want to send you a big thank you and a big good luck – my birthday, has to be a good omen.

“You are helping myself and so many other families around the country live with this horrible condition every single day.

“You’re putting money into research, patient support, resources .. so much across the board.”

Since April the Powerpoint Engineering trio have been training hard with long cycles every weekend and so far we have covered over 2,000 kms.

Their cycles have taken them from the top of the beautiful Slieve Blooms, around Lough Derg, up the Sally Gap/Wicklow gap and around lakes of Blessington.

“We have endured mist, rain, cold, hailstones and even thunder and lightning but we are now very much looking forward to the next few weeks,” says Conor McGarry, who is the commercial and business development manager with the business and also secretary of Laois Chamber.

“Hopefully the bodies can hold up to the challenge and we won’t pick up any injuries along the way.”

If you would like to support and donate to “Cycle for DEBRA Ireland” please visit the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/cycle-for-DEBRA-ireland/.

“We are very grateful for the generous donations and support we have received so far. This is mainly from Laois people and Laois businesses including Powerpoint Engineering, Rosie & Jim, Finline Furniture, Arron Smith Heating & Plumbing and of course Murt from Race Right Cycles.

“Every donation, big or small, is very much appreciated with every cent raised going to this very worthy charity.”