Tipperary Biker Takes on Eleven Countries in Three Days for Down Syndrome Ireland
A BIG-hearted Tipperary biker is set to travel through eleven countries- covering a gruelling 3000km- in just three days to help support parents of children born with Down syndrome.
The Bray to Brno Challenge will see the troupe of 10 bikers set off from Bray, Co Wicklow and travel through eleven countries covering more than 1000km a day until they reach Brno in the Czech Republic.
Anthony Seymour from Portroe in Co Tipperary is among the bikers who are hoping to raise €10,000 for a special New Parent’s Conference held each year by Down Syndrome Ireland.
Down Syndrome Ireland implemented this powerful initiative in recent years by holding an annual residential weekend for parents of children with Down syndrome under the age of two years.
The conference offers parents an opportunity to meet with other parents in a relaxed setting and gives them time to reflect on their new situation.
Mums and dads are provided with information and discussion opportunities on topics such as feelings, sibling relationships, health care, self- care, baby massage, communication and speech and language therapy.
All of this is delivered by experts in the area of Down syndrome.
The conference costs in the region of €10,000 to run and is an invaluable support to new parents.
On August 20th of this year the bikers will set off from Bray in Co Wickow and pass through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Hungary, and Slovakia before reaching the Czech Republic.
Aidan Lynam, of Down Syndrome Ireland said: “Last November we rode from Valentia Island to Valencia in Spain in two and a half days to raise funds for Down Syndrome Ireland. Just like last year we are covering all expenses ourselves this year so every cent donated will go directly to DSI to help fund the New Parent’s Conference in December. Being a parent myself I know how vital those early days and early years are to how a parent and indeed the child will deal with the challenges ahead, so we are particularly proud to be able to do this. We are asking companies to get on board now and sponsor this worthwhile cause.”
