Olivia gets on her bike for hospital
STUDENT CYCLING TO PICNIC
Olivia Rusk is set to cycle 90kms to raise money for Temple Street Children's Hospital.
A PORTMARNOCK student is gearing up for this weekend's Electric Picnic festival and the 90km cycle trek it will take to get there. Olivia Rusk will be joining hundreds of cyclists who are making their way to Stradbally Hall in Laois by bike, while raising vital funds for Temple Street as part of the ' Tour de Picnic' appeal. And Olivia, who is in her final year studying architecture at DIT, Bolton Street has already well surpassed her target, taking in more than € 1,300 for the hospital as donations continue to flood in.
' I heard through the grapevine that you got a free ticket if you raised € 500 for Temple Street,' the 24-year-old explained. ' Once I got into the fundraising, I felt bad, so I put the money in myself and bought a ticket.
' I managed to raise well over my target. I organised a table quiz last week and spent the previous two weeks going around the local businesses getting spot prizes and advertising it.
' I had the pub quiz in Fowler's in Malahide the night before the money was due in. My target was € 500 and it made over € 1,000, so I was chuffed.'
The cycle ride will leave Dublin at 10am on the morning of Friday, September 3rd where friendly experts from the ' 2Wheels Cycles' store will be offering advice and leading the groups on a protected cycle route along the scenic back roads to Stradbally.
All funds raised from the initiative will go towards Temple Street's neurosurgery appeal and in return, every participant will receive a ticket to the festival, as well as remaining true to the eco-friendly ethos of Electric Picnic.
' It's going to take all day to get down there,' she continued. ' I've been doing some practice cycles. It's 90km, so I started doing 30km and then 60km. That takes about four hours, so I think I'll probably get there on maybe Sunday!
' We don't have to cycle home thankfully. I can't wait. I was at Glastonbury a couple of years ago and I was looking at the lineup for Electric Picnic and it all came flooding back.
' I'll probably just be dragging myself around on my hands and knees for the weekend, I'll be so tired. I've raised € 1,365 so far and people are still donating.'
Anyone interested in support Olivia can log onto www.mycharity.ie/event/olivia_rusks_event/.
- Robin KIELY
