#RNLI - Fethard RNLI was presented with a cheque for €5,749 last Friday 16 September by Ring of Kerry cyclists towards the charity’s special appeal in aid of a new inshore lifeboat which is due on service at the end of 2017.
A team of nine cyclists came together in March and set their sights on completing a 160km Ring of Kerry challenge on Saturday 27 August.
The team, comprising Paddy Kehoe, Philip and Richard Roche, John Summers, Jim Mernagh, Nicky Walsh, Renee Mullens, David Curtis and Damian Cahill, also undertook to fundraise in aid of the Fethard RNLI special appeal.
"This was a once in a lifetime achievement," said Kehoe. "Each member of the team are overwhelmed and extremely thankful for the support received.
"We all have families living on the coast and could call on the services of the lifeboat at any time, therefore it was important for us to support our local station."
Oonagh Hearne Messette, Fethard RNLI fundraising chair, said: "To have raised this amount of money on our behalf is outstanding and has had an unbelievable impact on our appeal. Without this community support we would not be able to seek to fundraise €65,000 for our new lifeboat appeal.
"It is credit to the team and we thank each and every one together with their extended family for their support."
The recent Waves Music Festival raised €35,000 towards the lifeboat station's €65,000 target, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.