Intel employee pedal power raises more than €23,000 for charity
Each year Intel Ireland selects two signature charities in order to give employees the opportunity to dedicate their efforts towards providing volunteer time and funds, raised through specially organised activities, to these chosen organisations.
For 2014, Irish Autism Action and the Jack and Jill Foundation, were selected and employees have been taking part in numerous events during the year to date to raise funds and generate awareness in support of the two selected causes.
 A group of cyclists set off from Leixlip |
In what has become an annual event, one of the highlights of the charity drive is a cycle challenge which gives employees the opportunity to complete routes of 40km, 80km or 160km. Each of the routes began at the Intel Ireland campus in Leixlip and this year took in various parts of Kildare, depending on the length of the cycle, with each of the routes culminating at the Sarsfields GAA club in Newbridge who kindly opened their doors to welcome the Intel cyclists and crew.
On the morning of Friday September 5th, with the sun shining and just a few clouds above, employees began assembling early at the Leixlip Amenities centre, adjacent to the Intel campus, as they prepared to head off on their bikes for the challenging journey ahead.
Kitted out in distinctive blue Intel jerseys the groups of cyclists were a notable sight as they passed through numerous towns and villages, including Maynooth, Prosperous and Kilmeague.
By lunch time all of the cyclists from the various distances had arrived at Sarsfields GAA where they enjoyed a much deserved pit stop which was kindly hosted in the clubhouse facilities. At the Newbridge venue the cyclists were greeted by Jonathan Irwin, CEO of the Jack and Jill Foundation, Niall Murphy from Irish Autism Action and special guest Darragh Maloney of RTÉ who offered some words of encouragement to the group. After the short stop the cyclists were ready to head off on their bikes for the final 40km of their challenge which took them on a return journey back to the Intel campus.
 Happy cyclists begin arriving in Newbridge |
In total, almost 250 Intel employees took part in the Charity Cycle event with more than 30 additional volunteers taking to the road in a number support roles.
This was the fifth year that Intel employees completed the cycle challenge and again there was a fantastic response to the fundraising effort with more than €23,000 being raised overall for the signature charities.
This will be combined with monies raised through other events with the total overall fundraising amount being revealed at the end of the year.
Intel Ireland employee Michelle Molloy completed a 40km cycle on Friday and this marked her 1st year of participation in the charity event, “It was a great event and a great way to get employees together in support of our signature charities. There was a fantastic atmosphere and comradery amongst all of us out on the road – I was delighted to be able to support two very worthy organisations and proud of the support that Intel gave us all in doing so”.
 The entire cycle team is photographed at Sarsfields GAA in Newbridge |
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 Jack and Jill CEO Jonathan Irwin addresses the cyclists |
 Darragh Maloney of RTÉ also addresses the group |
