Following on from the overwhelming success of the inaugural Better Life Cycle this year, the date has now been set for the 2015 event.

This year, the Better Life Cycle from Malin to Mizen Head raised the staggering amount of €90,000 - the largest amount raised for St Joseph's Foundation in Charleville through any single event since it was set up 45 years ago.

The committee had set out to raise €25,000, which was seen as an ambitious target, but through the goodwill of people and an inspiring generosity, which spread across the communities, they raised almost four times their target amount and St Joseph's were simply blown away by the response. 

The inaugural event saw 115 cyclists taking on the four day journey from one end of the country to the next, but the event would not have been possible without the cyclists, first and foremost, who were helped and supported by the volunteers, sponsors and all those who organised fringe events, made donations and helped out in any way.

Looking ahead to next year, the committee are building on the success of the first event, but they are doing something different again, which they hope will appeal to cycling enthusiasts and those who are newer to the activity.

"We have done the length of the country, so now we're doing the breadth," Nollaig Baker explained, as the Bay to Bay event will see participants cycling from Dublin to Galway Bay.

The cycle will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2015 and participants will cover a distance of 215km in the one day challenge with three food stops, as they travel across the Midlands.

The committee hope that people will support the 2015 event, as the support from the first event was a true show of community spirit and people's willingness to lend a hend and give what they could for a good cause.

At the launch of the Bay to Bay event, the committee members toured St Joseph's Foundation and it really brought home how much their fundraising means to the people who use their services.

Meeting those who use the services and seeing the facilities first hand was an emotive day for the committee, as it gave them an insight into what the money they raised will be going towards and how it will truly change people's lives.

Some of the money raised from the first event is being used for a new kitchen and also towards a bus, which brings adults and children to day trips.

The website will be going live over the next week and registration will be open, so those hoping to take part are urged to mark the date and register early, as the committee will be setting up training schedules shortly, to get people ready for the one day challenge.

In the lead up to the cycle, there will also be a number of fundraisers with a charity auction on Friday, December 19, a Ballyhoura time trial and a flag day in March.

If anyone wishes to organise a fundraiser event to support the cycle, it would be much appreciated.

Each cyclist will be raising sponsorship to take part in the cycle and the committee are hoping that community spirit will again shine for the next event.

For more information see Betterlife Cycle on Facebook, follow @bettercycle on Twitter, visit www.betterlifecycle.ie or contact 087-9411902.

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