Irish engineering firm aims to raise hundreds of thousands of euro in 300km trip.
We are proud to announce the launch of The Kirby Way Cycle 2022. This staff initiative alongside our fundraising partners and in conjunction with Warriors for Humanity, is raising money for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute and Self Help Africa, and will bring our team together for an unforgettable experience, which we believe will leave a lasting collective legacy.
On Friday, September 2nd, leaving from Kirby Group Engineering’s headquarters in Limerick, several hundred participants will cycle first to its Galway office. On the second day, more advanced cyclists will cover the distance from Galway to Dublin. There will be many Kirby employees, their families, supply chain partners and clients, participating on day 1, while the more serious cyclists and club cycling partners will lead the challenge on day 2 of the event. The full journey will cover a distance of over 300 kilometres.
Group Managing Director Mark Flanagan, who will be taking part in the cycle says it’s an inspirational project: “The world has changed in the past two years and the world of work, in particular, has been transformed. This event will remind us in Kirby that two things remain the same. Firstly, our primary core value is our people. We are looking forward to coming together once again and boosting our team bonds and spirits. Secondly, Kirby’s commitment to helping those in need in Ireland and around the world. We support dozens of charities each year, both directly from the company and through the amazing fundraising efforts of our staff. The team’s vision for the climate and welfare benefits that this project can do in Ireland and Africa is truly inspiring. I look forward to seeing how our charity partners put the proceeds of the Kirby Way Cycle to good use in their work.”
Operations Director at Kirby, Mikey Ryan has led preparations for the Cycle: “Since we came up with this idea I’ve been amazed at the positivity from my colleagues, the board and our industry contacts and I’m so grateful for everyone’s support. I think the time is right for this kind of company-wide drive to come together again and do something different. The cycle is just a catalyst for building the buzz around something that’s going to be a lot of fun and deliver real benefit to people in need and our planet.”
By donating funds to the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, the Kirby Way Cycle 2022 will help fund comprehensive research programmes at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Their research team, in collaboration with universities and hospitals across the globe, focuses on the development and improvement of diagnostic techniques and treatment strategies, to drive real and measurable improvement in clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients.
The funds raised through this project will be donated to Self Help Africa and go towards:
● The planting of up to 200,000 trees across 10 countries
● The construction of 50 boreholes in rural villages, providing thousands of people with a safe, clean water supply
● Enabling 30,000 families to grow food across 10 countries
● Installing solar powered kiosks in 50 communities, each of which will power 100 households
Martha Hourican, Director of Business Development at Self Help Africa says: “We focus on ending hunger and poverty in rural Africa. 250 million people across the continent suffer hunger and malnutrition and the funds raised by schemes like the Kirby Way Cycle can make a real difference to many of those lives. It will support the planting of 200,000 trees, where they will not just remove carbon from the atmosphere, but will also provide food, shade, shelter and restore and rehabilitate degraded farmland, and support thousands of farming households to provide for their families today, and for years to come. I’d like to wish all of the cyclists the best of luck and express Self Help Africa’s appreciation and gratitude to Kirby Group Engineering for their amazing support”.
Alan Kerins, who heads up Warriors for Humanity says: “I’ve worked with the team at Kirby for several years and I understand their dedication to looking after their people and supporting people in need. The Kirby Way Cycle is a fantastic innovative project that will have a real and positive impact in Ireland and in Africa”.
Support for The Kirby Way Cycle has come from numerous organisations and supply chain partners. You can follow all the latest updates on preparation for The Kirby Way Cycle on the company’s Twitter and LinkedIn feeds. If you’d like to get involved or show your support, you can email marketing@kirbygroup.com.
