29.05.2007

8,000km Three Cycle Tour for Irish Autism

A Limerick cyclist will be part of a two person team that will cycle the Three Tours 8,000km Cycle across Europe to raise funds for Irish Autism Action.

Kasey O’Shea from Drombanna, Co. Limerick will travel with Matthew Finch on their cycling expedition across 21 European countries starting on the 2nd of July from Istanbul, Turkey.

The charity cycle distance is the equivalent of completing a Tour de France, Giro d’Italio and the Tour of Spain back to back.

Limerick based access rental company, Skylift Hire will be the 'title sponsor'.
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(L to R) John Cusack md of Skylift, Kasey O'Shea, Oorla Cusack and Matt Finch

Kasey O’Shea has just completed an MSc in Speech & Language Therapy from the University of Limerick and works with children with autism.

At the launch of the 8,000km European Three Tours Cycle Kasey explained ‘I had planned to undertake some major fund raising on behalf of Irish Autism Action when I completed my MSc because of my association with this great cause. Matt and I are keen cyclists and felt completing the equivalent of the three top professional cycling events would be both a personal accomplishment and a unique way raising awareness and funds to help extend the work that Irish Autism Action do.

Support for the idea has been tremendous and we are extremely grateful to Skylift for their generosity towards our event but more importantly, the cause we represent.’

The cycle will start from Istanbul travelling to Bulgaria, Bosnia Herzegovina and taking in landmark cycling locations such as the Alps, the Danube river trail and the English National Parks trails before the final leg from Belfast to Limerick.

The pair will carry all equipment themselves and spend nights in a tent for the most part. The journey will take four months to complete averaging 500km per week.

Speaking at the launch of the Three Tours Cycle, Skylift Director Oorla Cusack said ‘we are proud to support such a fantastic cause but also a really unique cycling challenge. I am sure that such an event will really capture the imagination of the public and generate a lot of support for Irish Autism Action.’

Individuals interested in making a sponsorship contribution can donate and follow the progress of the cycle through Kasey and Matt’s home page www.freeworldcycling.com and also keep updated on www.skylift.ie