A team of employees from Dalata Hotel Group, which owns the Clayton and Maldron hotel brands, have embarked on a grueling 1,100-kilometere cycle, one of the longest charity cycles in the country, crossing 21 counties in aid of the hotel group’s charity partners: The Marie Keating Foundation, Air Ambulance NI and Leukaemia Care.
Having participated in the cycle annually over the past five years, the employees are aiming to reach a target of €35,000, adding to the impressive total of €535,000 raised by all employees so far for Dalata’s three charity partners since 2022.
The funds raised will support the early detection of cancer in Ireland, contribute to efforts that offer urgent care for individuals with serious injuries in Northern Ireland, and provide crucial assistance to patients and families in need of the Car-T treatment, a life-saving cancer immunotherapy delivered in a small number of hospitals in the UK.
The journey won’t be easy for the cyclists, as well as being one of the longest charity cycles in Ireland with an extensive distance of 1,100 kilometers, there will also be some difficult terrain testing their ability, strength and stamina. The Sperrin Mountains in Derry and Patrick’s Hill in Cork are particularly challenging.
The cyclists set off at 7am on Thursday from Dublin, kicking off the first leg of their journey from Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport. They will be joined by other employees and partner organisations throughout as they stop by several of the Group’s hotels along the way in Belfast, Derry, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Cork, and Wexford before finishing on Thursday 19th September in the Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Dublin. Dalata colleagues will be keeping the cyclists in high spirits along the way.
The Great Dalata Cycle has been a key event as part of the annual Dalata Digs Deep initiative, which spans across the Group’s 57 hotels throughout Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe, during the entire month of September. Over the past eight years, this initiative has successfully raised over €2m through various fundraising activities, and including matching corporate donations from Dalata Hotel Group.
Previous charity partners, which have benefitted from the initiative include CHI Crumlin in Ireland and Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK.
Niall Macklin, Dalata Hotel Group Head of Acquisitions and cycle team leader said: “For five years now, the Great Dalata Cycle has been more than just a fundraising event—it’s a testament to the commitment and spirit of our team at Dalata. Every year I say it will be my last time doing the cycle but it’s hard to stop when the funds we raise are going to such important causes, ensuring that vital services like early cancer detection, emergency medical care, and life-saving treatments continue to be available to those who need them. I’m excited to keep the momentum going for the rest of the month as we work together to raise funds and create awareness”.
Liz Yeates, Marie Keating Foundation CEO, said: “We are immensely grateful for the remarkable generosity and dedication shown by Dalata Hotel Group and its employees nationwide.
“The funds raised have significantly enhanced our capacity to deliver essential cancer education and support through our nursing outreach services, enabling us to conduct 63,000 lifesaving conversations.
“This partnership is crucial to our mission of saving lives by raising awareness and promoting early detection of cancer across communities in Ireland. Together, we are making a substantial impact in the fight against cancer.”
