Thursday, August 25, 2016

Big Blue Box coming to Kilcullen

An Ireland's Ancient East cycling challenge to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation will be in Kilcullen on 13 September, and local people are being asked to get involved, writes Brian Byrne.

The Big Blue Box Volunteer Challenge is organised by Bank of Ireland. Two groups, starting in Dundalk and Wexford respectively, will tour parts of Ireland’s Ancient East from 2-16 September. Bank of Ireland staff and members of local communities will travel by bike along the route, through 29 towns. There will be local fund-raising events in each town.

All funds raised will be matched by Bank of Ireland and will go directly to support the Irish Heart Foundation’s new Mobile Health Units.

Earlier this year the Big Blue Box was carried along the Wild Atlantic Way, raising €40,000 for the Society of St Vincent de Paul. This figure was matched by the Bank to total €80,000 given to the SVP.

Inside the Big Blue Box will be placed a symbolic item that each local community wants to share with their neighbouring town, representing local community interests or businesses. This gives each town the opportunity to raise the profile of their community with neighbouring towns.

The cycle starts on Friday 2 September, and will arrive in Kilcullen from Naas at 12pm Tuesday 13 September. The participants will leave Kilcullen at 11am Wednesday 14 September for Athy. The event will finish in Nowlan Park in Kilkenny at 12.30pm on Friday 16 September.

Local people are being asked to get involved in the fundraising and the Challenge is also looking for people to cycle local route segments. The Kilcullen committee helping out includes Liam Walker, Noel Clare, Nessa Dunlea and Steve Kinneavy.

More details of local initiatives will be posted over the coming weeks.