Munster Rugby latest to sign up for Tour de Munster
It’s a Munster event that takes place all around the province to raise funds for a Munster charity and now it has partnered with one of the province’s leading organisations.
Munster Rugby has now joined with Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) Munster Branches and Tour de Munster. This year-long partnership will see the DSI Munster branches and the popular 600km charity cycle benefit from the support and backing of Munster Rugby.
The vital funds raised each year as a result of the Tour de Munster make a huge difference in enabling the 6 DSI Munster branches to continue to provide much needed supports and services to their members. The DSI branches deliver ‘all-through-life’ support to people with Down Syndrome and their families from speech and language therapy to occupational therapy and much more.
The four-day Tour de Munster charity cycle was established 23 years ago, and sees an average of 120 cyclists embark on the testing journey around the towns and villages of Munster in efforts to raise vital funds for the Munster branches of DSI.
The tour is set to take place this summer from 10 to 13 August. To date, Tour de Munster has raised a huge €4 million for DSI Munster branches.
Commenting on the charity partnership with Munster Rugby, Barry Sheridan, CEO of DSI said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Munster branches of DSI and Tour de Munster have been chosen as a charity partner of Munster Rugby this year. The partnership will further highlight and support Down Syndrome Ireland’s vital services by spreading awareness and raising much-needed funds.
“Without the backing of organisations like Munster Rugby and the many businesses who have supported DSI and the Tour for the past 23 years, it would not be possible. This support, along with the support of the general public goes a very long way in allowing our branches to continue to provide essential services to those living with Down syndrome and their families.”
Paul Sheridan, who established Tour de Munster said: “We are delighted to be named as a Munster Rugby Charity Partner for the year ahead as we celebrate the 23rd edition of Tour de Munster this August.
“Our organisations are aligned in our passion for what we do and we very much look forward to working with Munster Rugby to raise awareness and funds for the wonderful members of our DSI Munster Branches who rely so heavily on the services they access through their branches. It’s fantastic to have Munster Rugby alongside us all the way.”
Ray O’Callaghan, member of Down Syndrome Cork branch said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Munster Rugby this year, their support is invaluable and a great source of motivation for Tour de Munster. We are delighted to have this opportunity to further strengthen the community between the six DSI branches in Munster that Tour de Munster has already established.”
The 2023 Tour de Munster will kick off from Cork city on Thursday 10 August and continues over four days around the six counties of Munster before returning to Cork city on 13 August.
For more on the Tour de Munster visit www.tourdemunster.com, find it on Facebook, or follow the tour on Twitter @TourDeMunster. For more on Down Syndrome Ireland see www.downsyndrome.ie. For more on Munster Rugby see www.munsterrugby.ie.