More than 300 cyclists have taken part in a 160km cycle through four counties to raise funds for the drought-affected Pokot region of Kenya.
Cyclists participating in the 28th annual event of the Willow Wheelers club travelled from Blackrock, Co Dublin, via Trim and Ballivor in Co Meath to Kinnegad, Co Westmeath. They returned via Enfield, Kilcock, Maynooth and Leixlip in Co Kildare.
Current and past pupils of Willow Park School and Blackrock College make up the majority of members of the club which was founded in 1989 by cyclist Christy McDaid.
The number of participants in the annual fundraising event has grown from 20 in the first year to more than 300 currently, raising more than €2 million for water, health and education projects in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.
The club’s most famous former member is professional cyclist Nicolas Roche, son of cycling hero Stephen Roche.
The funding goes directly to local projects run by Irish missionaries and this year’s focus is on Kenya.
Mr McDaid said they were making a special effort for the Pokot area of Kenya, which had had not rain for eight months: “The area has been decimated by drought and famine affecting humans and animals alike.”
