Caroline set for her final cycling challenge

A TUAM woman is preparing to take on her ninth and final Malin2Mizen cycling challenge to raise funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI).

Living with Cystic Fibrosis herself, 56-year-old Caroline Heffernan will complete the 640km journey from Malin Head to Mizen Head in four days on a tandem bicycle with the help of her cycling partner, Joe O’Connor from Sligo.

“This will be my ninth and final cycle so it will be a very emotional one,” said Caroline.

“I have had to adapt to the progression of my condition at different stages of my life, but I have never let it define who I am or what I want to achieve,” she added.

Caroline believes that resilience comes from focusing on what is possible rather than the impossible or what is difficult.

She acknowledges that it is unknown what getting older with Cystic Fibrosis looks like.

“What it means today is that cycling the route independently is no longer possible, but thanks to riding a tandem with an incredible partner, I can still be part of something that means so much to me,” noted Caroline.

Latest reports highlight that a total of 1,342 people in Ireland are living with CF. Despite new therapies, which have improved outcomes for Cystic Fibrosis, a cure has still not been found.

Thirty-seven cyclists will take on the Malin3Mizen Cycle4CF challenge on Thursday, September 10, aiming to raise €100,000 for CFI.

Organisers and participants of the event are encouraging people to come out and show their support as the cyclists pass through various locations in Galway on September 11 and 12.

The challenge was first set up in 2016 in memory of Triona Priestley, who passed away in 2014 from CF at the age of 15 years.

Over the years, it has raised more than €1,200,000 in funds which has helped CFI fund research and advocacy for families affected by the condition in Ireland.