Cyclists to say “Ciao” to Italy when they embark on Fort2Fort Tour Di Sarti Charity Cycle 2023 8th – 10th October

Over three days, from October 8th to 10th, a team of 20 cyclists will travel to Riccione in northern Italy to participate in the Fort2Fort Tour Di Sarti Charity Cycle in aid of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation and Carrigaline and District Lions Club.

This will be Fort2Fort’s third international event, following on from the enduring success of the annual Fort2Fort charity cycle which takes place around Cork Harbour. Fort2Fort Tour Di Sarti is organised by Sam Beamish of Carrigaline and District Lions Club, who has been instrumental in the success of Fort2Fort, which sees hundreds of cyclists participate in year after year. 

Over the course of three days this October, participants of Tour Di Sarti will cycle some of the 63 Hills in the Rimini Region near Sarti. Cyclists will travel 80km, climbing 1,071 metres to the Republic of San Marino on day one; while a 74km cycle to the exceptional Gradara Medieval fortress awaits them on day two; and on day three a 64km cycle to Castles in the Emilia Romagna Region will be the culmination of the tour. 

The previous two international Fort2Fort events raised a total of €98,000 for the Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Appeal; and 90% of funds raised from Tour Di Sarti 2023 will support further investment in equipment and predictive medicine to deliver faster and more accurate diagnostics, resulting in personalised, more effective treatment plans for cancer patients at The Mercy University Hospital Cork. The remaining 10% raised will go towards Carrigaline and District Lions Club, who have fully supported this event.

Speaking about how funds raised will benefit patients, Professor Derek Power, Clinical Medical Oncologist, Mercy University Hospital said “Cancer patients deserve the benefit of being diagnosed with the latest world-leading technology. Medical teams at the Mercy University Hospital will be able to advance new treatments for many different cancers thanks to funds raised through events like the Tour Di Sarti. Having the right facilities, access to research, and being supported by complimentary services all play a part in our patient care; and we thank the cyclists for their support to make this possible.”  

On behalf of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, Deirdre Finn, Head of Fundraising, said “Funds raised through the Mercy University Hospital Foundation are used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment, to enhance and develop services, and to help Hospital staff in providing a world-class service in a world-class hospital. We are able to continue to do so thanks to the support that events like Fort2Fort receive. Since its inception Fort2Fort, and now the international iterations of the event, have raised almost €500,000, to support this vital work. I wish all the cyclists well on the Tour Di Sarti 2023, and we thank them for their continued support.”

To donate to the Tour Di Sarti fundraising campaign, visit https://www.idonate.ie/event/fort2forttourdisarticharitycycle2023 where you can make a one off donation.