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Cyclists saddle up for guide dogs 16.05.12

A NUMBER of visually impaired cyclists are to pedal a whopping 625km to Malin Head next week to raise some €50,000 for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
The four cyclists, each on a tandem bike assisted by a sighted participant, will be among a group of 35 who will leave Mizen Head in Co Cork this Saturday for a week-long cycle to Malin Head, Co Donegal.
Pictured at the launch of the Mizen to Malin cycle are from left; Jim McCormack, participant, David Kennelly, Irish Guide Dogs trainer, Maeve McClusky of Irish Guide Dogs with Orry and Catherine Gallagher, also of the charity, with Laika.
Now in its 12th year, the event was set up by Dublin-based Eamonn Linnane in memory of his father, Paddy Linnane, a guide dog owner.
"My father and I cycled on a tandem and travelled all over the world together including South Africa and Australia," said Eamonn.
Some €500,000 has been raised from the annual event to date with the money going towards building a puppy block, investing in a male breeding dog and other vital services.
Eamonn Linnane rides a tandem with his visually impaired father Paddy, now deceased.
The cyclists will travel up the west coast including Bantry, Tralee, Kilkee, Galway, Sligo and Letterkenny, on their way to Ireland's most northerly point. They hope to arrive at their destination on Friday, May 25. They will enjoy dinner and a reception that evening at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind supports 300 working guide and assistance dog partnerships across Ireland including Donegal. It cost just over €4 million to run the organisation last year while 80 per cent of its annual income comes from fundraising and donations. For more information and donations, visit www.guidedogs.ie .
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