Ollie's Little Hearts Cycle Run 2013

Riders in training for Ollie runWhen the Ollie's Little Hearts Cycle Rally wheels out on 13 October, those taking part will be pedalling to get equipment for the new Cardiac Unit in Crumlin Cildren's Hospital, as well as giving a financial helping hand to the Jack & Jill Foundation, writes Brian Byrne.

The event, the second one, will hopefully attract close to the 300 riders who took part last year, giving a big fillip to a fundraising campaign which so far has seen some €60,000 provided to the newly-built Unit.

"Once again, Brendan Walker and Kieran Kelly of the Kilcullen Cycling Club are rolling in behind organising the event," says Noel O'Connell, who set up the Appeal with his wife Katrina as a 'thank you' for the work of the hospital's Cardiac Unit in its care for their little son Ollie, born 16 months ago and who has had a series of heart operations since the day after his birth.

The fundraiser caught the imagination of cyclists from all over the country in 2012 and little Ollie O'Connell has arguably become Ireland's youngest celebrity in the process.

"Apart from the Cycle funds, individuals, adults, children, schools, clubs and other organisations all across the country sent in donations, sometimes to us, sometimes directly to the Hospital."

For this year's Cycle there has been a change in logistics. Instead of the main event starting at the Hospital in Crumlin itself and finishing in Kilcullen, being joined along the way by cyclists doing shorter distances, all routes will start and finish in Kilcullen.

"There are again four distances 100k, 50k, 40k and family fun 10k," says Noel. "But by starting and finishing here, it means we don't have to transport riders and bicycles to Dublin."

Sponsorship cards are available through Noel and Katrina's new cafe, The River Cafe, as well as from Kilcullen Cycling Club.