Christmas cycle raises €16k for Marymount hospice

Marymount University Hospital and Hospice has congratulated the winners of this year’s Christmas Cracker Cycle.

The turnout was fantastic, the organisers said, and they were delighted to award the ‘best club’, ‘best dressed’ and ‘prize draw’ winners.

Donal O’Regan, of Clonakilty Cycling Club, won best dressed for his Clonakilty Black Pudding costume.

Lee Roadies won best club, Valerie Collins won best-dressed lady, Michael Cross won the super draw prize of a full set of winter gear ( as sponsored by Aidan Crowley, of Velo Revolution), and Barry Looney won a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses for second place in the prize draw.

The annual Christmas Cracker Cycle, which is in aid of the hospice, took place earlier this month.

Celebrating its 14th year, the cycle provided a great day out while raising vital funds.

This year, there were two routes: The ‘Mini Cracker’ 60k or the ‘Maxi Cracker’ 80k.

€16,000 was raised through the dedicated iDonate page.

Marymount thanked all those who participated and donated.

Meanwhile, Marymount was recently presented with a final cheque by the organisers of the Galley Head Swim.

The swim took place in September in aid of Marymount University Hospice, CoAction West Cork, and Cancer Connect, and a cheque of €104,613.08 — €34,871.03 for each charity —was presented at a reception at the Celtic Ross Hotel.

The organisers said they were “absolutely delighted” with the amount of funds raised this year and said they are so grateful for everyone’s generosity.