Gardaí complete 'Tour de Force' cycle
Gardaí from various districts throughout the country, 45 in all, returned home to Dublin airport today having spent five days on their annual ‘Tour De Force’ Cycle’ raising an estimated €80,000 for the charity Debra Ireland.
Since Monday, members of all ranks cycled 600 kilometres from Madrid to Marbella, and were ‘set off’ on their run from Madrid by the Irish Ambassador to Spain, Peter Gunning.
The Mayor of Marbella welcomed them on Friday with a civic reception, which was held at Marbella town hall.
Those who planned and took part in the event did so voluntarily, and on their own time.
Debra Ireland (the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association) was founded by families of children with EB in 1988, and receives funding from donations, fund raising events, and grant support however they do not receive guaranteed government funding
Head of donor care with Debra Ireland Edel Lambe who was also on the sponsored cycle said: “ This is a fantastic opportunity for a small charity like ourselves to raise public awareness and funds. To have Gardaí cycling across Spain is an amazing initiative for an organisation like us and we’re thrilled and delighted with it."
Kevin Donoghue of the Garda Press Office said members are involved at local level regularly in sporting clubs throughout the country, and there is engagement with the community every day of the week.
