As many of you know, our older son Finlay (age 4) has cystic fibrosis. Finlay is a fighter and has put up with an awful lot in his young life. We as a family want to help the Cystic Fibrosis Trust by raising money towards the vital research that they fund.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening genetic condition that slowly destroys the lungs, digestive system and other internal organs. The current life expectancy for those with CF is 41. It affects more than 10,000 people across the UK.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust fights for a brighter future for people with CF and their families by funding cutting-edge research, driving up standards of care and supporting people with the condition and their loved ones every step of the way.

For this year’s Ride for Research event, the CF Trust are focusing on how to tackle antimicrobial resistance (see below). There are three lengths of ride to choose from : 

14 miles (one mile for every institution in the UK that the CF Trust is funding to fight antimicrobial resistance)

41 miles (one mile for every CF investigator or researcher in the UK that the CF Trust is funding to tackle AMR.)

Unlimited miles (by tackling AMR, this research will benefit an unlimited number of people worldwide.)

We are aiming to cycle 500 MILES during October to match our fundraising target of £500. We will be doing several 14 and 41 mile rides throughout the month, culminating in an epic 114 mile ride for Nick. Keep an eye on our updates below for details! 

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health concern, and people with CF are particularly vulnerable. Cystic fibrosis is a condition that is managed by a high use of antimicrobial medications, as the thick, sticky mucus caused by the defective CFTR gene is ideal for bugs to grow in and makes people with CF more susceptible to infection. Some CF infections are becoming resistant to antimicrobial drugs and, left untreated, can trigger permanent lung damage.

By supporting our Ride for Research challenge you could help fund the vital research into tackling antimicrobial resistance, benefiting everyone with CF as well as supporting the global effort in combatting this worldwide issue.

With heartfelt thanks for your support,

Eilidh, Nick, Finlay and Ciaran Byrne