Mark Pollock and a team of supporters and fundraisers have been hitting the roads in and around Dublin City in preparation for the Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare 2019. Mark will undertake the 110km cycle with tandem pilot Simon O’Donnell, a team mate in his trek to the South Pole, and a team of 35 other cyclists to help raise awareness of his mission to cure for paralysis in our lifetime.
The Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare takes place on Saturday 25th May 2019 and will see more than 4500 cyclists take to the roads and hills of the Beara Peninsula. Now in its fifth year the popularity of the event has grown exponentially, selling out in under 24 hours in recent years.
Mark Pollock says, “When I lost my sight, I rebuilt my identity as a blind adventure athlete but when I became paralysed, I feared I would never be able to compete again. Thanks to a custom-made tandem hand bike, I’m back in the saddle with my former South Pole teammate Simon O’Donnell, and looking forward to the Ring of Beara cycle in May. I believe we all achieve more than we thought possible when we collaborate so I’m excited that 35 supporters are joining our Team Unbreakable.
Paula Cunniffe, CEO of Mark Pollock Trust, says “The Ring of Beara is one of the highlights of the Irish cycling calendar so as a keen cyclist, I was delighted that we were invited to take part. Teamwork and collaboration is inherent in successful businesses as much as in sport, so I want to thank Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare and the members of Team Unbreakable who are supporting Mark and his mission to cure paralysis.”
Oliver Kirwan, Event Director for the Ring of Beara Organising Committee said, “We are delighted and privileged to welcome Mark and his teammates to Ring of Beara Cycle Kenmare 2019. We have a huge respect and admiration for his work and if we can help in anyway to support that through the cycle we will. Having the team with us is going to make the day even more special for all involved.”
Since 2011 Mark and his team have co-created projects valued at over €2.5 million involving: rehabilitation; robotics; exercise physiology; neuro modulation; neuroscience; bioengineering; and pharmacology. Mark believes many of the world’s greatest scientists and technologists have discovered breakthroughs that have the potential to impact paralysed people’s lives in the next 5 years. Yet, the interventions are held hostage in the minds and labs of these spectacular researchers due to systemic failures in translating research from the lab to the clinic.
You can find more information about Mark Pollock and his mission here.
