An inaugural Dash of the Derg charity bike event will be held on September 20 at Killaloe, Co Clare in aid of the Irish Electrical Benevolent Association (IEBA).
It will be hosted by the Irish Electrical Cycling Club (IECC), formed by members of the electrical industry including a consultant engineer, electrical wholesaler, switchgear manufacturer and lighting control distributor.
Anyone involved in the industry, from contractors and wholesalers to consultant engineers, distributors and their family and friends, is invited to get their Lycra out and raise much-needed funds for IEBA.
The course is a 110km, relatively flat route to enable cyclists of all levels to have an enjoyable day, with a start and finish point of the Smith O’Briens GAA & Camogie Club in Killaloe.
Teams of four to six people are invited to sign up at a cost of €600. Insurance is essential, with participants required to provide proof of their own Cycling Ireland annual insurance or simply take out the day cover through the Cycling Ireland website.
Title sponsor for the event is Ei Electronics, a Clare-based manufacturer with an international reach which has supported IEBA for many years.
Members of the IECC organising the event include Stephen McManus (Lidacel), Michael Bissett (Hager), Diarmuid McStay (REW), Andrew Clifford (JV Tierney) and Dan Fisher (IEBA, Core Distribution).
Stephen McManus, IECC chair, said, “We are excited to introduce the Irish Electrical Cycling Club’s inaugural event in aid of IEBA, Dash of the Derg, and would encourage as many teams as possible to sign up for what will be a fun day for a great cause.”
Other IEBA fundraisers include its annual charity ball, which last year raised around €25,000, and the IEBA Race Day held at Leopardstown on February 4.
Upcoming events include the Munster Golf Classic on April 24, Golf Classic Killeen Castle on April 26 and Winter Ball on November 22. A new event will also be added in September, with details to be confirmed.
The IEBA Board of Directors includes President Cel O’Reilly, Aidan Hayes (Honeywell Ireland), Dan Fisher (Core Distribution Ireland), Tony Murphy (Expert Ireland), Pat Tully (Lidacel), Jack Hegarty (Hegarty Electrical Cork), Trevor Whyte (Schneider Electric) and Aine Higgins.
Founded in 2001, IEBA extends support to members of the electrical industry and their families experiencing difficulties with, for example, bereavement, depression, terminal illness, accidental death, special treatments or retraining.
Help is extended to anyone who is, or has been, engaged in the trade as well as widows, widowers and immediate dependents of that person with a need for financial assistance.
With your help, awareness and support, IEBA can do more to assist industry people and their families who are struggling.
To sign up for, or support, the 2024 Dash of the Derg, contact:
E: irishelectricalcyclingclub@gmail.com I info@irisheba.ie
www.irisheba.ie
