In 2002, a decision was made to initiate an annual award for one person's special achievement and service to the Galway Cycle.
Following the untimely loss of our friend and fellow cyclist Carmel Staunton in October 2003 it was decided to dedicate this award to her memory. The piece below will give you some idea of what Carmel meant to her family and her friends on the Galway Cycle:

Carmel Our Dear Friend:

Carmel was just 22 when she died tragically in a car crash. In her short 22 years, she packed in as much as she could; she was an inspiration, a true friend and a special, beautiful sister and daughter. She loved life and lived each day to it's fullest.

Her passion was music. A multi-instrumentalist, Carmel had just completed a demo album of original songs, which she co-produced with her brother Martin & sister Emma.

During her time in Maynooth, Carmel took part in two Galway cycles and loved every minute of them. She always talked fondly about the friendship, determination & the craic between the students and everyone else on the cycle. She was always very proud to be part of such an amazing event and it was the highlight of her college year.

Carmel studied for 4 years in NUI Maynooth where she revelled in student life, never missing an opportunity to make new friends. For the first year she studied Music, German & Irish. After that year, she changed over to study Psychology and graduated in September 2003 with a First Class Honours Degree.

Friends were a vital part of Carmel's life and she considered it very important to keep in contact with friends made throughout her life. Her song Friend for Life was written by her, for her Secondary School Graduation.

Carmel is missed hugely by her family and all those who loved her, she will never be forgotten and her memory will live on in our hears forever. We know that she will be helping everyone up those difficult hills on the cycle this year.

"Cherish those Times, Remember those Days"
taken from Friend for Life by Carmel Staunton

Recipients of the Carmel Staunton Endeavour Award

Well done to the following for their special achievement and service to the Galway Cycle. The recipients also explain what the cycle means to them.

2009: Mick McLoughlin

2008: Ann-Marie Brennan

2007: The Staunton Family

First of all we were completely shocked, surprised but truly honoured to receive the Endeavour Award for the Cycle in 2007. Thank you! The Maynooth Galway Cycle holds such a special place in our hearts because it was through our beloved Carmel that we became involved in 2004. The fact that the Award was put in Carmel's name is a huge honour for us and especially for her, as she always said it was one of the highlights of her college year.

We have been involved in the collecting, cycling and the support crew and each part is equally as fun and challenging as the other. In Creagh Training Centre preparations for the food stops begin early that week and it's a very exciting event for the trainees and staff, they're always sorry you can't stay longer! We're glad to see that the staff in the Training Centre and the Health Service Executive (HSE) would like to continue to support and help in any way they can.

You are an amazing group of people who put so much time, work and effort into organising the cycle which benefits so many children's charities and you have supported us in ways we will never forget, one of the abiding memories we have is the guard of honour you gave Carmel at her funeral. It means so much to us that she's remembered every year through the award. We wish you all the very best in everything you do and will always look forward to catching up with you on the weekends of the Cycle. We're delighted to have made so many friends and don't forget if you are in the Ballinasloe-Eyrecourt area, you're welcome to drop in for a cuppa!

Martin, Olive, Audrey, Emma, Martin & John

2006: The Galway Cycle Collectors

After spending the year deciding who to give the award to - reviewing the videos, looking at photos, remembering her own years on the cycle and coming on the Galway Cycle weekend 2006 - Marie-Therese decided the most worthy recipient of the award were the unsung heroes of the weekend. Braving the elements and with boundless enthusiasm, the collectors truly are an essential part of the weekend, without whom the cycle would be a much lesser event.

The First Four:

(l-r): Fergus Heneghan, Marie-Thérèse Kilmartin, Ann-Marie Clarke and Martin Rocks in 2005
 

2005: Marie-Thérèse Kilmartin

I am deeply honoured to receive the Galway Cycle Endeavour award, I never expected to receive the award as my current participation is not quite at its previous level! I believe that I receive the award on behalf of all the people who were involved with the cycle in the early days, the initial cycle to Athlone with everyone cycling and collecting on a rotation basis. The cycle was initiated as a Young Christian Student action by Mick Barry, Mick Connaughton and Pat Fleming. Over the years the cycle grew in numbers and structure. I am always delighted to see that the ideals and values of the cycle still exist and that the spirit of friendship, commitment and generosity is reflected among all the participants. To me returning to the cycle each year offers an opportunity to renew friendships, to share laughs and meet new people.

I was very amused after receiving my award to be reminded of one of my personal experiences of the cycle - "the Fall!". I realise so much work goes into the organisation of the cycle annually and again it is a great tribute to the committee each year because without the continued volunteerism and leadership the cycle would not have survived..

Marie-Thérèse

2004: Fergus Heneghan

It is great to be involved in this fun event. It will always remain a date in my diary. It is great to meet so many great people who make this weekend such a memorable occasion while doing good for a worthwhile Children's Charity. It was an honour to receive the Endeavour award in 2004.

Fergus

2003: Ann-Marie Clarke

Since my 2nd year in Maynooth College I have been involved in this cycle. Thanks to it I met people I would never have met, I have cycled miles I would never have cycled and I have experienced fun, laughter and pain that is unique to the cycle!

I am very very proud to be involved with such a group of selfless fun loving caring people whose only aim is to make a day, a week and some years better for somebody less fortunate that ourselves. The sense of achievement one gets on the Sunday night back in Maynooth is unbeatable. The Galway cycle weekend is a special weekend in my calendar.
Ann-Marie

2002: Martin Rocks

The Cycle for me personally is very important for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it is the one time of the year that I keep free to catch up with all the crew from previous years. We will all have great crack, enjoy ourselves and then finally - with a serious side do something worth while for a great charity - usually close to home.

Secondly, it is great to see the Cycle still going strong all these years later. (Note that I did not say how long - on my part!!!) I hope that this will continue because it is only later, when we see all the hard work and effort given by all -that for me personally I can look back and say that the weekend was great, and something great was really achieved - both on a personal level and for the charity concerned.

On a final note - "Here's to the future of the Galway Cycle!" May it continue for many more years to come and go from strength to strength. In saying this a word of warning. I hope that the real meaning of what the Galway Cycle is about is never lost, - nor forgotten!

Best wishes to all and good luck. Happy Cycling 2005.

Roxy