Writing by aj@lecraic on Monday, 26 of May , 2008 at 2:32 pm

The East Pier in Howth is going all orange this coming Bank Holiday Weekend as the current crop of entrants in this years Diva Next Door contest (previously know as the Miss Bebo Ireland) will appear en masse to take part in a cycle ride. The current Miss Bebo Ireland will be there too.

They are assisting the efforts of Ireland’s Pedaling Pensioner, local man Eugene O’Leary, who aims to raise €250,000 for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.

Eugene has a number of fundraising cycles planned. Galway to Howth and the Crumlin Hospital 500k Cycle Challenge in Monterey. Next year he plans to cycle across the US for 50 days and a total of 3,629 miles and in the process become the first Irish OAP to do so. All of these events should help him reach his €250,000 goal and will be a fitting tribute to the staff of the hospital that cared for his daughter who died at the young age of 19.

All of the action takes place on Sunday 1^st June between 12 and 5pm.

PRESS RELEASE
DIVA NEXT DOOR CONTESTANTS TO ASSIST THE PEDALING PENSIONER IN FUNDRAISING FOR OUR LADY’S CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, CRUMLIN, ON THE JUNE BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND AT EAST PIER, HOWTH

The contestants in this year’s Diva Next Door Contest (originally the Miss Bebo Ireland Contest) and the current Diva Next Door, – Cheryl O’Rourke — have very kindly offered to take part in a fundraising static cycle — cycling on a bike mounted on a training frame – opposite Ann’s shop at East Pier, Howth, Co. Dublin, on Sunday 1st. June. The cycle is in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

They will be assisting in the fundraising efforts of local cyclist Eugene O’Leary – The Pedaling Pensioner — who has set himself the target of raising a total of 250,000 euro by cycling from Galway to Howth (150 miles) – The Helen O’Leary C2C Memorial Cycle – on Monday 4th. August and by taking part in Crumlin Hospital’s 500k Cycle Challenge in Monterey California, between 3rd. and 13th. September and then cycling across the United States, from Astoria, Oregon to Portsmouth, New Hampshire from 21st. June to 10th. August 2010. (50 days and 3,629 miles)

The attempt to cycle across the United States, will result in Eugene being the first Irish “Old Age Pensioner” to do so, and will hopefully be a big factor in helping him to reach his goal of raising 250,000 euro for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, in memory of his late daughter Helen, whose very special care by the nurses, doctors and staff of that hospital, enabled Eugene, his wife, sons and daughters to enjoy “the presence of an angel” in their family until her death at 19 years old.

So, come along to the East Pier, Howth, on Sunday 1st. June between 12 and 5 p.m. Watch the Diva Next Door contestants “get on their bikes”, and support a great charity

If anybody is interested in joining me on the Galway to Howth Cycle on Monday 4th. August, and is willing to raise a few euro for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin; please contact me on 086-0571612 or by e-mail at eugene.cycleogical@gmail.com

To read the article about my fundraising cycles in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin please click here.

If you would like to donate to my fundraising target, but do not wish to use your credit card, please do the following: Write a cheque, postal order, or bank draft, and make it payable to The Children’s Medical & Research Foundation (not to me personally) and mail it to me:

Eugene O’Leary.

67 Grace O’Malley Drive,

Howth,

Co. Dublin.

Ireland.

All donations will be acknowledged by both myself and the Children’s Medical & Research Foundation of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.

( http://www.cmrf.org )

Fundraising on East Pier, Howth, Co. Dublin.

I was at The East Pier in Howth this bank holiday weekend, cycling with my bike mounted on a training frame to raise money for Our Lady’s Childrens Hospital, Crumlin. Due to the generosity of everyone who came along, I succeeded in raising €3,125.

I have set myself a fundraising target of €250,000 euro over the coming year and a half.

Some upcoming events confirmed:

15th. May – Links Creche and Montessori Bouncy Castle Day.

31st May – Fundraising cycle with my bike mounted on a training frame in Northside Shopping Centre.

June Bank Holiday – Cycling at East Pier, Howth.

August Bank Holiday Monday – 150 mile cycle from Galway to Howth: Helen O’Leary C2C Memorial Cycle.

September 3rd – 13th Monterey, California 500k Cycle Challenge.

November 6th, 7th, 8th & 9th. Fundraising Dunnes Stores Donaghmede.

15th November Fundraising cycle with my bike mounted on a training frame at Artane Castle Shopping Centre.

21st June 2009 to 10th August 2009 – Cycle across America (50 Days, 3,629 Miles).