Gary And Peter

Update from Fighting Blindness - September 5, 2022: 

We are saddened to report that Peter Ryan has, unfortunately, had to drop out of this year’s Paris2Nice cycle challenge. He fell during training and has damaged ligaments in his wrist. He has it strapped but it is painful and would not be able to sustain the pressures of a 700km cycle so soon. Peter is very sad to miss the challenge we wish him a full and swift recovery.

Gary McClarty from its4women is going to continue the challenge on a solo bicycle – making it even more challenging without his powerhouse stoker on the back of a tandem. We wish Gary the very best of luck on the challenge as a solo cyclist and we know that he will do a fantastic job.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our fundraising page on iDonate.ie. We are taking part in a tandem ride on the Paris2Nice challenge this September. Together, we are Driving the Cure to raise €10,000 for Fighting Blindness research that will offer prevention, treatments and cures for a spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

Learn more about us:

Gary McClarty, owner of leading Irish online insurance brand, its4women, joins Paralympian, Peter Ryan, on the Paris2Nice Cycle Challenge which takes place from 9th to 16th September.

Their mission - To drive the cure for blindness and to raise vital funds for leading Irish-based charity, Fighting Blindness.

This duo will feel as if they are riding the Tour de France on this epic cycling challenge, passing 650 miles from Paris to Nice.

Peter Ryan is a veteran of the 2016 Paralympic Games where he competed in the Tandem Cycling Time Trial and the Road Race.

In technical terms, businessman Gary McClarty is the pilot and Peter Ryan is the stoker and this team will work in tandem to get the power ratios correct, and to complete this challenge, driving the cure for Fighting Blindness.

All funds raised here will go directly to Fighting Blindness. By raising much-needed funds for this charity, the benefits are incredible. The urgent mission of the charity is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments, and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Fighting Blindness is a beacon for those affected by these blinding diseases.

We hope you can help us by donating whatever you can. Simply click the Donate button above. All donations are processed securely.

You can also share our page using Share options below. This is a great way to show your support.

Many thanks for your support,

Gary and Peter

Fighting Blindness

Fighting Blindness is an Irish patient-led charity with a vision to cure blindness, support people living with sight loss and empower patients. It is the only Irish charity funding research into treatments for sight loss. To date, it has invested over €20 million in more than 115 research and clinical projects. Fighting Blindness provides professional counselling and therapeutic services for individuals and families living with vision impairment and blindness. It advocates for equity of access to timely and appropriate diagnosis, healthcare, therapies and support services. It works to empower the almost 272,000 children and adults in Ireland who are blind or visually impaired through education and information provision. Fighting Blindness brings together leading experts who share its pioneering vision for the future.

Learn more about Fighting Blindness

its4women

In just over a decade, its4women has become one of Ireland’s largest independently-operated insurance intermediaries. Customers are based across the island of Ireland. The online insurance brand is provided by MCL Insurance Services (Ireland) Limited, and MCL InsureTech Limited in Northern Ireland.

Learn more about its4women

Learn more about Paris2Nice