Cork and New York firefighters saddle up for two good causes

The National Retained Firefighters Association of Ireland (NRFA) and visiting members of the New York Fire Department (FDNY) will be taking part in a charity cycle in Cork this week.

The three-day 360km cycle will begin on Monday morning at 10am, departing from the Embassy Residence of the United States in Phoenix Park, where ambassador to the States, Claire Cronin, will also be in attendance.

Participants will cycle from there to the Enniscorthy Fire Station, where they will depart from the following morning to Dungarvan Fire Station.

Day three will see cyclists travel from Waterford to Youghal Fire Station, and onwards for a grand finale in Kinsale at the 9/11 Memorial Gardens.

Honouring

The aim of the fundraiser is to ‘put the fire out’ on children’s cancer as well as honouring those that were lost in the 9/11 tragedy from both sides of the Atlantic.

All funds raised from the charity cycle, taking place during childhood cancer awareness month, will go towards the Friends of Firefighters in New York City charity, as well as Ireland’s national children’s cancer charity, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie.

The Friends of Firefighters in New York City charity is a not-for profit organisation that provides independent, confidential, and free mental health counselling and wellness services to active and retired FDNY firefighters and their family members.

Aoibheann’s Pink Tie is a charitable service that gives families across Ireland, who have a child receiving vital cancer treatment in hospital, clean, safe, purpose-built accommodation for the period of their child’s cancer treatment.

Co-founder of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie, Jimmy Norman, thanked those taking part.

“This year’s joint project is particularly exciting for us in terms of this wonderful association, and we are very proud to be joint recipients of this fundraising, together with Friends of Firefighters in New York City, and to accompany them on their journey around Ireland,” Mr Norman said.

For further details and to donate go to: https://eclv.ie/cycle.