Setting the Barr very high
A former professional cyclist will pass through Cork six times next week as he attempts to beat a Guinness World Record.
Ultra-cyclist Joe Barr, 62, will attempt to beat the Guinness World Record for the furthest distance ever cycled in seven days, which is currently set at 3,580 km in 168 hours.
His chosen route will take him from Malin Head, Donegal to Mizen Head, Cork six times before finishing again at Malin Head. His cycle will take him through Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Enniskillen, Longford, Athleague, Nenagh, Limerick, Charleville, Kanturk and Dunmanway.
Joe, whose son Ross was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2007, is undertaking the mammoth challenge in support of Cancer Fund for Children (CFFC) and their plans for a new therapeutic short break centre at Daisy Lodge, in Cong, Co. Mayo.
Ross, now 15 and thriving, was diagnosed at five months old with a malignant brain tumour and endured numerous rounds of life-saving treatment.
Daisy Lodge, Mayo is a therapeutic short breaks facility which will provide respite for children with a cancer diagnosis and their families and it is due to be built on the shores of Lough Corrib near the village of Cong in Mayo.
“Every family in Ireland with a cancer diagnosis should have the opportunity to experience Daisy Lodge, it’s a fantastic place,” said Joe.
He added: “Whenever you go down there, they just do everything for you, so effectively it's a home from home and it allowed us to be together as a ‘normal’ family again and that’s why I’m so motivated to raise as much funds as I can to support the new Daisy Lodge set to be built in Cong, Co. Mayo.”
The planned centre in Mayo is inspired by a similar centre in Down which currently supports 450 families a year, some of whom are referred for therapeutic short breaks through Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.
Daisy Lodge will be the first exclusive space for children diagnosed with cancer and their families in Ireland and will increase the number of families supported to 1,000 per year.
CFFC CEO Phil Alexander said: “We have a great working relationship with the team at Crumlin Children’s Hospital, but the capacity in Newcastle is not sufficient to meet the all-Ireland demand and that’s why we desperately need this second centre.”
Joe retired from professional cycling in 2004 but got back on the bike in 2009 to fundraise for his son.
He has competed in numerous endurance races around the world including the 3000+ mile Race Across America.
He has won the 1500-mile Race Around Ireland twice and holds multiple endurance world records in Ireland.
Next week’s attempt will be his most ambitious to date.