PUTTING their best foot forward in aid of a very worthy cause are Co Meath’s Katie Nolan and her father Paul.

They are taking part in The Irish Hospice Foundation Cycle Challenge 2018 which will cover 600kms through the mountains in five days across Croatia, Slovenia and Italy in five days, departing Dublin on Sunday, June 24th.

Kate, who works in Horse Sport Ireland, is well known in equestrian circles at home and abroad, for her event riding and production of young horses, and also for her work with top international show jumper Kevin Babington. Her parents are Paul, a builder, and Kay, a well known coach and Pony Club instructor.

Tonight (Saturday, June 9th), the Nolan family are hosting a Ceili with music and craic, plus raffle and auction, in Nolan’s Field, Brownstown, Navan, Co Meath, from 7.30pm. Everyone is invited along to lend their support to this great cause, in aid of The Irish Hospice Foundation.

The Foundation’s Nurses for Night Care Services rely very heavily on public fundraising and donations to stay afloat. This year, over €800,000 will be needed to provide all the nursing care required. All funds in the upcoming Cycle Challenge for the service go directly to this vital service.

Katie Nolan told The Irish Field: “Myself and my dad are cycling 600kms in five days to raise funds for The Irish Hospice Foundation, Nurses for Night Care Services. It all began on New Year’s Day when our cousin Evelyn and our friend Blaithin mentioned about the cycle they did in 2017 for The Hospice Foundation. The more I heard, the more I wanted to take part.

“My dad jumped at the opportunity and has been dragging me out training since. 600kms is nothing compared to the work these nurses do for the people that matter. We are hoping that as many people as possible will support us. We have a marquee at home and we are ready for some serious dancing tonight!”

Tickets to tonight’s Ceili are €15 each and available either before or on the night at the gate (free admission for children).

You can text/Whats App 085 1339211 or 085 1692642.

If you cannot attend but still wish to donate to this good cause, the Nolans have an iDonate page which is at the link below.

https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11369399_katie-nolan-s-page.html