Cycleathon to take place at popular Kildare shopping centre in aid of young boy

A 12-hour cycleathon will take place at a well-known Kildare shopping centre in aid of young boy who has been diagnosed with a serious illness.

The event, which will be held in the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, will be organised by the 07th Potential Non-Commissioned Officers (07 PNCO) Course of the Irish Defence Forces, and all funds will be used to aid in the treatment of a boy named Archie Ennis.

The GoFundMe page for the event lists the donation goal as €2,800.

Explaining the difficult situation faced by Archie and his family, the 07 PNCO explained on GoFundMe: "Archie is just seven years old and has recently been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare and devastating condition that causes progressive muscle weakness.

"His family has shared that he’s already finding it difficult to stand and climb stairs, and most boys with this condition end up in a wheelchair by age ten.

"Life expectancy is heartbreakingly short, often only into the early 30s."

The 07 PNCO continued: "Archie is eligible for a potentially life-changing gene therapy treatment in LA, but the cost is over €3.2 million, not including accommodation and post-treatment monitoring.

"On May 1, 30 of us from the 07 PNCO Course will be cycling in shifts, 15 bikes running for 12 hours straight, with each participant cycling for six hours (one hour on, one hour off) to show our support and raise as much as we can.

"As a team, we want to do everything we can to help Archie’s family get him the treatment he needs."

They concluded: "From our course to your hearts, please help us help Archie."

Those who wish to donate to the GoFundMe page for Archie can do so by clicking here.

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