by Alan Jacques
THE elite of Irish cycling will descend on Deebert House in Kilmallock this Sunday, October 25 to pay tribute to eight-year-old Sophie Mulcahy who passed away 12 months ago after battling courageously with rare medical disorder, 1Q43 Deletion.
Sophie who was born on July 12, 2006, underwent six major heart operations to save her life. The brave Rhebogue girl was given just four days to live, but she fought against her terminal illness for eight years – eight years in which her father Liam, mother Stacey, brother Dion and sister Kayla did all they could to provide any help they could possibly get for Sophie.
They have since set up Sophie’s Journey, a foundation that supports families with terminally ill children. Since January, the foundation has supported four families.
TeamSophieMul, which is also supported by the foundation, brings cyclist and runners together to raise funds to supporting children with life limiting conditions.
Sunday’s event is a 60k memorial cycle to mark the first anniversary of Sophie’s passing. Professional cyclists Sam Bennett, Eddie Dunbar and David McCarthy will be participate along with former RAS winners Phil Cassidy and Ciaran Power, who are all patrons of the foundation.
The cycle will leave Kilmallock at 9.15am and heads towards Limerick where the cyclists will refuel at McGettigans before heading back to Kilmallock. More details at www.sophiesjourney.com
