Hundreds of Microsoft Ireland employees are swapping tech for tyres this month as they take on the challenge of cycling 30,000kms over the 30 days of September in order to raise €30,000 for LauraLynn, Ireland’s only children’s hospice.
Microsoft’s seventh annual charity cycle will see the company’s employees, as well as their family members, hit the road and clock up as many kilometres as they can on solo or family bike rides, or indoors on a stationary bike, in order to raise €1 for every kilometre cycled. Over the course of the 30 days, Microsoft employees will collectively cycle the distance to Perth, Australia and back.
All funds raised from the charity cycle will go directly to LauraLynn as it provides much needed respite for children and families after months of strict cocooning due to COVID-19. Throughout the pandemic, LauraLynn has continued to provide family supports such as play and music therapy, counselling and wellbeing checks, as well as crisis respite at its hospice in Leopardstown, close to Microsoft’s campus at One Microsoft Place.
To mark the launch of the thirty-day cycling challenge, Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland said: “Despite the challenges created by COVID-19, the team at LauraLynn has continued to provide vital care and supports to families across Ireland. But now, more than ever, they need our support. That’s why our employees are dusting off their cycling helmets and getting back in the saddle for the 7th year to participate in a very special cycling challenge.
“Since 2014, Microsoft employees have raised a staggering €430,000 for LauraLynn by way of our annual cycle and we remain as committed as ever to achieving this year’s fundraising goal of €30,000.”
Emma Reid, a member of the Microsoft cycling team said: “This is my second year participating in the Microsoft cycle for LauraLynn and whilst COVID-19 is preventing us from cycling alongside our colleagues, we remain entirely united in our goal to raise much needed funds for the children’s hospice. Of course, I don’t intend on going it alone, my husband and two children and coming along for the ride as we collectively aim to complete 500 kilometres as a family over the course of the 30 days.”
Kerry McLaverty, CEO of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice said: “We are humbled by the continued support shown to LauraLynn by Microsoft Ireland. This is the seventh year of the Microsoft annual cycle for LauraLynn and we are hugely appreciative of their ongoing support.
“Whilst there is still much uncertainty about what the remainder of the year and indeed next year will look like, we have been very fortunate in how generous our supporters and the public have been in response to our appeals and virtual challenges. Microsoft has been hugely supportive of LauraLynn and so it is really special to have the opportunity to work together again on this fantastic challenge”.
To support LauraLynn, members of the public can pledge their support and donate by simply logging on to http://aka.ms/Cycle4LauraLynn.
The public can track the progress of the team as they undertake their 30,000km challenge using the hashtag #MicrosoftLifeIreland.