Calling all cycling enthusiasts – do you want to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride alongside Irish cycling icon Stephen Roche – all while raising funds for a great cause?

Down Syndrome Ireland’s unique cycling event ‘Tour de Leinster’, is now open for registration.

The 4 day, 600km cycling challenge takes place from 25th – 28th of August 2016. The challenge gives all cyclists the opportunity to ride with Ireland’s Tour de France and Giro D’italia Winner and cycling hero, Stephen Roche, who will be cycling all 4 days! Look forward to a super cycling challenge whilst taking in breath-taking scenery, ascents, descents and the open roads across our lovely Leinster.

Each participant covers their own costs, so that the full funds raised from the Tour de Leinster event will go directly towards benefiting the DSI members with essential services. The funds raised from this year’s Tour de Leinster will be used at a national level to fund a Medical App for Parents of children with Down syndrome. Funds will also help our Leinster branches continue to provide vital services to people with Down syndrome and their families, including New Baby & Toddler Groups; Subsidised Speech & Language and Occupational Therapy; Home Teacher Projects and Arts & Activities Clubs.

Stephen Roche is delighted to be part of this the third Down Syndrome Ireland Tour de Leinster, “I am really looking forward to the challenge of cycling in this year’s Tour de Leinster and thrilled to support Down Syndrome Ireland. The money we raise will be used to fund a number of really important projects that will enhance the lives of people with Down syndrome”.

Speaking about how the funds allocated nationally will help thousands of families across Ireland, Down Syndrome Ireland Clinical Nurse Manager Fiona McGrane said: “Parents of babies born with Down syndrome at first have to deal with the shock of having a child with a disability and added to that, some may have to manage a myriad of health complications associated with the condition their baby faces.

She continued: “In Down Syndrome Ireland, we’re dedicated to making the lives of parents easier. As the Down Syndrome Ireland nurse, I’ve been told time and time again how difficult and stressful it is for parents to manage and keep track of the countless hospital appointments – sometimes up to three a week across multiple hospitals and community services. Our aim is to combat this and help parents at this incredibly challenging time of their lives and enable them to be in control and therefore be in a better position to advocate for their child. That is why we’re creating a New Parent App.”

A registration fee of €190 is required from each cyclist to participate in the event. This fee covers 2 Tour de Leinster jerseys, all tea/coffee/lunch stops, fully experienced support crew including outriders and medics, luggage vans including day van and overnight luggage van and a Sunday evening homecoming reception. Each cyclist also covers their own hotel cost of €195 which includes 3 nights bed and breakfast with evening meals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The total cost of participation, including registration and accommodation is €385 per person. Each cyclist is required to raise a minimum of €500 in sponsorship for Down Syndrome Ireland.

Interested cyclists can visit www.downsyndrome.ie for more information and to register or call 01 4266500.