For two decades, the Maynooth Students for Charity have organised an annual cycle from Maynooth to Galway. The Galway Cycle has successfully helped numerous worthy charities with a special interest in supporting children.

This remarkable event was established by a small group of 10 enthusiastic students in 1987. As a result of their initiative and an incredible amount of hard work, the Galway Cycle has grown into a major fundraising event in the university’s calendar. In excess of €300,000 has been raised to date. Every year students, both past and present give their time and energy to the event. In 2007, 150 participants raised €81,079 for Stepping Stones ABA School.

The Galway Cycle is organised by a voluntary committee and preparation begins early in the college year. Numerous fundraising events are held in the run up to the cycle, which is held in March every year. The cyclists begin the gruelling 400km challenge early on Friday morning with collectors supporting them all the way.

We arrive in Eyre Square on Friday evening. Early Saturday morning the streets of Galway are bombarded with enthusiastic faces collecting for their chosen charity. At the crack of dawn on Sunday, weary bodies rise to get back on their bikes for the journey home. A weekend of fun, reward and friendship is guaranteed each year.