Donegal friends cycling from Achill to Athens to support medical aid in Gaza
Cian Flanagan and Matthew Geever from Ramelton are to cycle 5,000 kilometres to the Greek capital to fundraise for Médecins sans Frontières
Two lifelong friends from Donegal have set off to cycle 5,000 kilometres from Achill to Athens, Greece, to fundraise for Médecins sans Frontières in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Today FM videographer Cian Flanagan and physics graduate Matthew Geever from Ramelton set off from Achill, Co Mayo, where their families saw them off.
The friends have been profoundly affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the horrors being inflicted on Palestinian civilians.
“We are undertaking this challenge in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are enduring an ongoing genocide at the hands of the Israeli state. We believe MSF is uniquely placed to deliver direct and immediate medical aid to Gaza, where the situation has become unimaginably dire,” they posted.
“We’ll be cycling thousands of kilometres across Europe to raise funds and awareness for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an organisation providing critical medical care in some of the world’s most devastated crisis zones.
“Since 7 October 2023, more than 50,000 have been killed and over 113,000 injured, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.
“Every hospital in the Gaza Strip has been bombed or forced out of service, and as of March 2, a total aid blockade has left over two million people without access to food, clean water, electricity, or basic medical supplies.”
The friends are also raising money for MSF’s important work in other countries.
“While Gaza is central to our concern, MSF is also doing life-saving work in other crisis zones, including the ongoing civil war in Sudan. The funds raised through this ride will support their operations across all regions where people are living under siege, displacement and extreme violence.
“We would be deeply grateful for any donation – big or small. Your support makes a real difference. Please take a moment to visit msf.org to learn more about the crises MSF is responding to.
Physics graduate Matthew, whose grandparents Susie and Barry Kearney hail from Carndonagh, said they were very grateful for the support they have already received.
“Massive thanks to everyone who has donated so far - we have exceeded our expectations and are now on over €6,000,” said Matthew, who had a head shave on Sunday as part of his fundraising efforts.
“We’re using a route planning app that will keep us away from busy roads,” he said.
“We’re both excited for the trip and looking forward to getting started. From Achill we are cycling to Ballyhaunis, Mullingar, then Dublin. It’s 300 kilometres through Ireland and it should take us about three days. We are getting a ferry from Dublin port to Cherbourg.
“There will be a decent amount of elevation in France and Italy, and it will be a challenge going through the Alps.”
Matthew and Cian’s fundraising journey can be followed on Cian’s Instagram account: @cianflanagan and donatiopns can be made at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/CianFlanaganandMatthewGeever.