PRESS RELEASE
Entrepreneur Seán Melly is taking on a 5-day cycle from the most southerly to the most northerly point inIrelandto raise funds for the Irish Hospice Foundation Nurses Night Care service. Melly, a successful entrepreneur and investor in the telecommunications and technology sectors, is part of a group of 10 cycling enthusiasts from South Dublin and Greystones, inCountyWicklow, taking part in the cycle and raising funds for various causes.
The 5-day Mizen to Malin Head Charity Cycle will cover the length ofIrelandthrough some of the most scenic and beautiful spots in the country. The group of cyclists will be climbing over theCorkand Kerry mountains, passing through the Burren and Connemara and finishing at theInishowenPeninsulain Donegal.
“The whole group is really looking forward to the cycle, it is a very demanding route physically so it is a big personal challenge. We are all committed to raise much needed funds for our chosen causes,” says Sean Melly.
“Personally, I am cycling for The Irish Hospice Foundation, to help them fund their Nurses Night Care service. Thanks to their work, people can have access to night nursing at home during their last days and in many cases, it allows them to die peacefully in their own homes. The work they do is truly amazing.”
Sharon Foley, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation, said “We are so grateful for Sean’s support and wish him and the group the very best on the cycle. Mizen to Malin is a tough 700km cycle and all the money Sean raises will be helping us reach the €325,000 required to fund our Nurses for Night Care service this year. Last year, 230 people – adults and children – with illnesses such as heart failure, motor neurone disease and lung disease availed of this free service.”
To Donate: http://www.mycharity.ie/event/sean_mellys_m2m_cycle/
To Follow Sean’s Cycle:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IrishHospiceFoundation?ref=ts
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IrishHospiceFR and www.twitter.com/PracticePRTeam
The Mizen to Malin Cycle:
Day 1
Thursday 3rd May: Mizen Head to Killarney (120km)
Cyclists will have a short cycle from the hotel to the start at Mizen Head then begin the 720km cycle to Malin Head. After a fairly undulating cycle to Bantry, then lunch at Glengariff, the second half of the day will bring two long climbs through the mountains totalling 1150m. The group will pass through Kenmare then on to Killarney where the cyclists will be staying at the Earls Court House Hotel.
Day 2
Friday 4th May: Killarney to Lehinch (131km)
Day two sees cyclists travel from Killarney through Castleisland, Abbeyfeale, Listowel to the ferry at Tarbert. After taking the ferry across theShannonthey will continue on to Kilrush, through the Burren to overnight stay at the West Coast Lodge, Lehinch.
Day 3
Saturday 5th May: Lehinch to Derrynasliggaun (152km)
After an early climb to Lisdoonvarna, day 3 will be fairly rolling countryside towardsGalwayCity, Oughterard through to Maam Cross. From there, the group will take the scenic road through the valley towards the estuary at Leenane then along the water’s edge to the Sleepzone Hostel at Derrynasliggaun for a well-deserved rest.
Day 4
Sunday 6th May: Derrynasliggaun to Bundoran (170km)
The longest day of the cycle, day 4 will see riders cycle from Derrynasligaun through the stunningConnemaraMountainstowardsWestport. They will then follow the undulating roads through Castlebar, Swinford, Tobercurray, Collooney then on the beautiful coastal road towards the overnight stay in the Homefield Rock Hostel in Bundoran.
Day 5
Monday 7th May: Bundoran to Malin Head (152km)
The 5th and last day of the cycle begins at Bundoran and continues on towards Donegal town. Cyclists will then pass through theBluestackMountainsheading towards Ballybofey. From there, they will begin the final leg of the cycle through Letterkenny, onto the Inis Owen peninsula at Muff then turning off the coast road at Quigleys Point and lastly to the very top of Ireland at Malin Head, where they will stay the Sandrock Hostel.
About Seán Melly
Seán Melly is a successful entrepreneur and investor in the telecommunications and technology sectors.
He established TCL Telecom, one of the first competitors to the state monopoly, inIrelandin 1995. MCI WorldCom (now Verizon) acquired this business in 1997. He remained at MCI WorldCom following the purchase as Chief Executive Officer, Board Director and member of MCI WorldCom’s Pan-European Executive Team. In 1999 he founded eTel Group. He built eTel into the leading pan Central European competitive telecom operator. eTel was acquired by TelekomAustriain 2007.
Melly is a member of the Board of the Trinity Foundation, Chairman of the Board of Trinity Business School and Professor of Finance (adjunct) on the MBA faculty at TrinityBusinessSchool.
About Irish Hospice Foundation
Since 2006, the Irish Hospice Foundation has been funding a Nurses for Night Care Service. We work with the Irish Cancer Society, who provide the extensive nursing service for people who are critically ill in their homes.
The vast majority of people who have access to hospice services have cancer. We are concerned to ensure that similar quality care is also available to people with other illnesses – for example motor neurone disease, chronic kidney failure and advanced respiratory disease.
The Nurses for Night Care Service means that patients with conditions other than cancer can access a night nursing service which allows them to remain at home during their last days and in some cases facilitates their choice to die at home. Night time can be a vulnerable time for patients and families, with few services available to them. This service maintains the continuity of care that the patient has experienced during the day, supported by the palliative home care team and surrounded by family.
These nurses stay in the home throughout the night, providing nursing care, practical support and reassurance to both patient and family. The service is a very significant support in providing respite for families as they in turn care for their loved one at what can be a very difficult time.
For many years there has been a high quality and responsive night nursing service in place for people with cancer, provided by the Irish Cancer Society. They generously allow us to access their highly trained network of nurses to provide the same service to patients with illnesses other than cancer who are being cared for at home during their last days.
Based on 2011 figures the cost of one average night’s service is €323. In order to fund this service in 2012 we must raise more than €325,000.
For media interviews, please contact:
Jillian Godsil, Practice PR, jillian@practicepr.ie, 0539429676