A LETTERKENNY secondary school teacher will begin a six day challenge cycling from Mizen to Malin Head today to raise funds for Donegal Down Syndrome.

Errigal College’s Janet McGeever told the Donegal News this week that the mammoth cycle, which is over 600km, has always been on her “bucketlist”.

As well as raising funds for a great cause Janet will celebrate a big milestone when she turns 50 on Thursday, the same day she will arrive back in Donegal.

The funds raised for the Donegal Down Syndrome Association will help fund speech therapy, swimming lessons, drama, yoga, music, social outings, parent and toddler and youth groups.

Janet said she chose this charity as she has taught children with Down Syndrome over the years and has seen the huge benefits of clubs like this. She will be joined on the cycle by her friend Mike Faulkner who is raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK, a charity that’s close to his heart after recently losing his aunt to the disease.The pair will be supported by their spouses who will be close by in a campervan ready to provide supplies.

After a break from cycling Janet got back on the saddle last November and it is a pastime that she has loved throughout her life.

“Cycling to me is everything. It’s about being outside, the smell, everything about it. Going through the likes of Fanad and Portsalon it’s never the same in a car. It is brilliant. You take everything in,” she said.

To donate to the cause and help Janet reach her target of €2,000 go to: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11405998_mizen-to-malin–ndash–making-every-milestone-count.html.