With only four weeks left for the Betfair Life Cycle Challenge, this year’s team is frantically trying to finalise all the planning that has been ongoing since September of last year.

This year’s event will see 21 cyclists attempt to ride from Istanbul to Damascus, a 2,000-kilometre trip, in just 11 days.

As always, the event will be to raise both money and awareness for persons suffering from kidney failure.

“This has been a particularly difficult time to raise money in the current economic climate,” commented event organiser Alan Curry. “Without the incredible generosity of companies such as our title sponsor, Betfair, this event would simply not have taken place as many of the smaller companies are finding things very tough at this moment in time.

“Luckily for us, there are still enough people out there who realise what an incredible sacrifice the cyclists and the support team make in order to hold such an event as well as realising the suffering the patients endure when their kidneys fail.”

Asked about this year’s lower participation, he remarked with a laugh, “To be honest, after 11 years I am still amazed that so many people put themselves through it.

“The numbers always fluctuate from year to year because of the nature of the event, but as long as the money comes in and we keep the cost of the event to a minimum then it will continue.”

Lifecycle donations can be made by SMS on 5061 7370 (€2.33), 5061 8920 (€6.99) or 5061 9229 (€11.6) or by using landlines 5004 9065 (€10), 5004 9060 (€20). Also visit www.lifecyclechallenge.com