Just over 1 Week to go to the start of the Nissan Kilmacud / BCI Mizen to Malin Challenge 2024

Pioneering Irish breast surgeon set to swap ‘surgical scrubs for cycling shorts’ –
undertaking 670km cycle to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Renowned for his expertise within the operating theatre, Professor Arnie Hill, Professor of
Surgery at Beaumont Hospital, and Chairman of Breast Cancer Ireland is now gearing up to
conquer a different kind of challenge – a gruelling 670km cycle from Mizen Head to Malin
Head over the June bank holiday, as part of the Nissan Mizen to Malin fundraising cycle
organized by Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club in Stillorgan, Dublin.

Setting aside his surgical scrubs momentarily, Prof Hill aims to pedal through several
western counties, not just pushing him to his physical limits, but also raising critical funds for
Breast Cancer Ireland’s ongoing pioneering research programmes. With each kilometre
conquered, he will be cycling for the countless lives that could potentially be saved through
advancements in research and treatment.

However, he certainly won’t be alone on this journey, as almost 75 hardy male and female
members of Kilmacud Crokes will also hit the (long!) road over the June Bank Holiday
(Wednesday 29 th May – 2nd June) to complete the cycling challenge alongside Prof Hill,
raising funds for both Breast Cancer Ireland and the Kilmacud Crokes Development Fund.
This is the sixth time this challenge has been undertaken by the club and the numbers of
eager participants continues to grow, with an incredible €636k having been raised over the
course of the last five events.

The cycle is set to commence from Mizen Head, West Cork, on the morning of Wednesday
29 th May after the group travels down by bus from Dublin. It will wind its way up the West
Coast of the country, arriving at Malin Head on Sunday 2 nd June, from where the
undoubtedly weary group will stay overnight, having a well-earned last night in Donegal,
and travel back to Dublin by bus on bank holiday Monday 3 rd June.
Prof Arnie Hill, Chairman of Breast Cancer Ireland, and Prof of Surgery at Beaumont
Hospital spoke about his upcoming participation in the event, saying “Events such as this
are a hugely important source of funding for Ireland’s leading breast cancer charity - tasked
with changing the landscape of breast cancer treatment into the future. Kilmacud Crokes

have been sterling supporters of the work that Breast Cancer Ireland does, for many years
now, for which we are incredibly grateful. This year, for the first time, I’ve decided to swap
my scrubs for cycling shorts and undertake the not insignificant 670k from one end of the
country to the other, to join in the challenge, and hopefully help raise funds for world class
research into this disease, new treatments and personalized therapies. I’ve done sections of
the route previously – but not the full route, so am hoping for some good weather – and
more importantly the stamina to make it to the finish line!”

Chairperson of the event fundraising committee this year, Linda Tormley added “The 2024
Mizen to Malin Cycle Challenge is the next step in building on the previous success of this
partnership between BCI, Kilmacud Crokes and Nissan.  We are absolutely delighted to have
Prof Hill take on the full route with us this year. We’re hugely impressed that one of Ireland’s
leading breast surgeons is undertaking a challenge of this scale, complete with the gruelling
training required, to cycle alongside our KC cyclists every inch of the way, and to help us
fundraise as much as we possibly can for this great cause. Here’s hoping for some good
weather, safe cycling and great fun along the way”

Seamus Morgan, Managing Director of Nissan Ireland, which has sponsored the event since
its inception, added “We’re once again delighted to be the main sponsor of this bi-annual
cycling challenge supporting Breast Cancer Ireland and Kilmacud Crokes Development Fund.
By rallying together to raise funds, we're not just pedalling kilometres, but also driving
progress towards a future free from the grip of this disease that impacts one in seven
women across Ireland. Every donation fuels hope, every cyclist embodies determination, and
together, we're helping to accelerate the pace of change in the fight against this disease.”
Each participating cyclist covers their own hotel, accommodation and food costs, giving of
their own time and also raises a minimum of 1300 euro. Nissan Ireland have once again
sponsored the cycling gear for the cyclists. To support simply Text “Cure” to 50300 to
 

Mizen to Malin Cycle Route in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland:
Wednesday 29 th May: Commence cycle at Mizen Head to Killarney (120km)
Thursday 30 th May: Killarney to Oranmore (190km)
Friday 31 st May: Oranmore to Sligo (145km)
Sat 1 st June: Sligo to Letterkenny (110km)
Sunday 2 nd June: Letterkenny to Malin Head (80km)
Monday 3 rd June: Return to Dublin by bus

Selection Of Media Coverage of Event

Irish Independent (online) - interview with Paul - https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin/dublin-news/dublin-dad-who-lost-wife-to-breast-cancer-to-cycle-from-mizen-to-malin-for-charity/a679982018.html
 

Irish Mirror (online) - launch news piece and pic - https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/arnie-hill-breast-cancer-awareness-32825182
 

RSVP.ie (online)- interview with Georgie and launch news piece and pics - https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/georgie-crawford-supports-surgeon-who-32827154

Irish Daily Mail (print) - launch news piece and pic - attached

Dublin Gazette (online and print) - launch news piece and pic - https://dublingazette.com/dublinlocalmatters/news/arniehill-breast-surgoen-55553/

Southern Star (online and print) - launch news piece and pic - https://www.southernstar.ie/health/irish-surgeon-to-cycle-mizen-to-malin-for-breast-cancer-charity-4292623