Hotel group cross 21 counties in 1100 km charity cycle for cancer care

A team of employees from Dalata Hotel Group embarked this week on a grueling 1,100-kilometre charity cycle crossing 21 counties in aid of the Group’s charity partners: The Marie Keating Foundation, Air Ambulance NI and Leukemia Care.

Having participated in the cycle annually over the past five years, the employees are aiming to reach a target of €35,000, adding to the impressive total of €535,000 raised by all employees for Dalata’s three charity partners since 2022.

The funds raised will support the early detection of cancer in Ireland and will contribute to efforts that offer urgent care for individuals with serious injuries in Northern Ireland.

The money raised will also provide crucial assistance to patients and families in need of the Car-T treatment, a life-saving cancer immunotherapy delivered in a small number of hospitals in the UK.

The journey is one of the longest charity cycles in Ireland with an extensive distance of 1,100 kilometres, including some difficult terrain which will put their ability, strength and stamina to the test.

The Sperrin Mountains in Derry and Patrick’s Hill in Cork are particularly challenging.

They will be joined by other employees and partner organisations throughout as they stop by several of the Group’s hotels along the way in Belfast, Derry, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Cork, and Wexford before finishing on Thursday September 19 in the Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Dublin.

The Great Dalata Cycle has been a key event as part of the annual Dalata Digs Deep initiative, which spans across the Group’s 57 hotels throughout Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe, during the entire month of September.

Over the past eight years, this initiative has successfully raised over €2 million through various fundraising activities, and including matching corporate donations from Dalata Hotel Group.

Previous charity partners, which have benefitted from the initiative include CHI Crumlin in Ireland and Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK.

Niall Macklin, Dalata Hotel Group Head of Acquisitions and cycle team leader said:

"For five years now, the Great Dalata Cycle has been more than just a fundraising event—it's a testament to the commitment and spirit of our team at Dalata”.

Liz Yeates, Marie Keating Foundation CEO, said:

“The funds raised have significantly enhanced our capacity to deliver essential cancer education and support through our nursing outreach services, enabling us to conduct 63,000 lifesaving conversations.

“This partnership is crucial to our mission of saving lives by raising awareness and promoting early detection of cancer across communities in Ireland. Together, we are making a substantial impact in the fight against cancer.”