Group to take on Mizen to Malin cycle for domestic violence charity
'WOW' stands for Women On Wheels - a group of nine women from Banagher who will take part in an extraordinary challenge on August 1 and cycle 600k in just six days.
The idea to do Mizen to Malin Head was on the “bucket list” of one of the group and she slowly persuaded the rest of them to go along for the ride of their lives and training has been ongoing since January.
The WOW ladies will launch the the event which they are doing in aid of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service in McIntyre’s Pub in Shannon Harbour on Friday, June 23, at 8pm and are looking for your support.
The cycle will begin in Mizen Head and finish in Malin Head in County Donegal.
Most of the group only started cycling for pleasure last summer and some completed the Greenway from Westport to Achill and the ladies can be seen out on the roads early on weekend mornings on different routes from 40km to 100km and on shorter journeys in the evenings.
They are all working at their own pace and give each other advice and encouragement along the way.
Each of the WOW ladies have their own reason for participating in this cycle and are funding all of their own expenses. However curiosity from local people and a willingness to donate led the women to choose Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service as their nominated charity.
ODVSS provides information, support, outreach and advocacy to woman, men and young adults affected by domestic abuse in its many forms.
They highlight that everybody has the right to live a life free from violence. In 2016 ODVSS recorded over 1,000 calls to their helpline with over 790 client contacts to the service.
The service based in Tullamore also has outreach clinics throughout the county.
This adventure could not be done alone and WOW ladies have been very fortunate in receiving support from Seamus and Jackie Gleeson.
Jackie is one of the WOW ladies from Harbour Hill Playschool Banagher, which sponsored a banner and signs, Also helping proceedings were local auctioneer Tom Rigney who generously sponsored their pink cycling jerseys, local photographer David Boylan who offered his time and services, Mickey Boylan who is assisting with transport and Shirley and Dermot McIntyre who are hosting an Awareness Night on Friday June 23 in their pub in Shannon Harbour. Sisters Annette and Bernadette Buckley will also provide massage therapy and support to the ladies as needed on route!
Anne Clarke, development manager, stated ODVSS were delighted to have been chosen as the charity for this event.
'It encapsulates the courage and strength that many women face when disclosing abuse for the first time. This is a mammoth task that the WOW ladies are undertaking. When women band together they can achieve great things,” she said.
Members of the public may see sponsorship cards in the shops around Banagher or they can give donations to any of the nine ladies who have sponsorship cards. You can also click on the idonate app on Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service Facebook page or visit our website www.odvss.ie.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or abuse please contact ODVSS confidential Helpline on 0579351886. For information on this challenge contact Clare Lynch 0871227666