The An Post Ras stage finishing in Mitchelstown could bring in upwards of 3,000 people, yet the appeal for contributions towards the €1,500 prize fund have come back high and dry. Only €105 was collected in the past three weeks, despite contact being made with almost 40 businesses in the town.

At a meeting of the local Ras committee this week, it was pointed out that if every business contributed as little as €40 or €50 each, the target could be reached, because if the prize money is not raised, the Ras will not come to Mitchelstown again.

The prestigious race will come into Mitchelstown on Thursday, May 23, as stage five of eight, with almost 200 cyclists coming into the town at around 2pm that day and not leaving until around 11am on Friday, May 24.

The committee members, made up of business people, cyclists and Mitchelstown Forum and Community Council members pointed out that the race stage has huge commercial opportunities for the people of the town, as it will be broadcast on TG4 and C103 FM.

Additionally, anyone who contributes towards the prize fund will have the opportunity to erect one of their own promotional posters on the barriers, so the race will put their profile on the national television screens.

The cyclists will have travelled 155km from Glengarriffe and afterwards will be taking off on a 150km trek to Carlow, so restaurants, food outlets, accommodation providers, publicans and retailers are sure to benefit from the trade that the cyclists, their teams and supporters bring into the town.

A meeting of the local Ras committee will take place in The Fir Grove Hotel on Thursday, April 23 at 8.30pm and all are welcome to attend.

Anyone who wishes to make a contribution to the Ras can make a cheque out payable to Mitchelstown Community Forum Ltd and all donations, great or small would be greatly appreciated.