Statement from Bridget McGuire, Chairperson of The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle Committee in relation to the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycles 2020 and 2021.

After much deliberation by the Committee and due to the uncertainties surrounding Covid-19, it has been decided that for the first time in its 37 years, The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle 2020 is cancelled. This decision was not taken lightly, and our chosen charities were at the fore of our decisions, along with the health and safety of all participants and volunteers.

However, we can confirm that The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle 2021 will go ahead on Saturday 3rd of July 2021. It is a difficult time for many of the chosen charities and indeed most charities across Ireland which is why we remain committed to our charity partners. All the chosen charities have been informed of this year’s cancellation and will remain the chosen charities for the 2021 event.

The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle will be emailing all registered participants and providing them with a choice of what to do with their current registration. Recognising the difficult circumstances that cyclists, charities and our volunteers find themselves in at this challenging time, all registrants will be offered 3 choices:

1. Defer your registration to the cycle on Saturday 3rd July 2021.
2. Donate your 2020 registration monies to your chosen charity.
3. Refund of your €100 registration fee and associated merchandise / donation.

All registrants must submit their preference through www.ringofkerrycycle.ie on or before Sunday 31st May 2020 and their preference will be processed before the end of July 2020. Should they choose not to respond, their registration and associated merchandise and donation (if any) will be automatically carried over to the 2021 event.
The main beneficiary charities for 2020 and 2021 are:

• Ard Chúram Day Care Centre, Listowel – A daycare service that operates from Monday to Saturday and caters for older people in a purpose-built centre in Greenville, Listowel.
• Banna Rescue – A voluntary inshore and land rescue unit covering one of the busiest and best beaches in the country.
• Breakthrough Cancer Research – An Irish medical research charity focused on raising vital funds for cancer supports and services.
• Cúnamh Iveragh – A respite home for adults with special needs in South Kerry.
• Down Syndrome Ireland (Kerry branch) – Helping people with Down Syndrome to make their own futures as bright and independent as possible by providing them with education, support and friendship every step of the way.
• St Francis Special School – Providing educational programmes in Beaufort for students with moderate/severe/profound general disabilities.

We are immensely proud that over the course of our 37-year history, the Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle has raised almost €17 million for more than 160 charities. In more recent years, over €1 million has been raised per annum, and having to defer this year’s cycle has deeply saddened us considering these funds are very much needed at this time.

With our cyclists’ help, we’re looking forward to boosting our fundraising efforts for the 2021 event, so that we can continue to generously support our nominated charities, especially after these trying times surrounding Covid-19.

The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle Committee look forward to welcoming all participants to Kerry for the 2021 event on Saturday 3rd of July 2021 and we want to thank all current registrants, volunteers and charities for their ongoing support. We will be issuing further notifications in due course as to when registrations will open for 2021.

For more information visit www.ringofkerrycycle.ie or follow The Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on Facebook or Instagram @RingofKerryCharityCycle or Twitter @ringokerrycycle #ROKCC2021