THREE cyclists have set off on an epic journey from Brisbane to Sydney, to raise money and awareness of a rare disorder, 1P36 Deletion Syndrome.

Mick McCarthy, originally from Kilmallock, Co. Limerick but now living in Loganholme, joined two other riders on the 1,046km ride.

The cyclists are raising funds for Team Tommy, in aid of Tommy, aged four, who has the genetic disorder, which means he is missing a very tiny part of Chromosome 1. Symptoms include low muscle tone, seizures, hearing loss, vision delays, speech problems and inability to feed orally, amongst other health issues.

Tommy has been making progress – he can take steps using a supportive walker device (purchased with the help of Team Tommy’s Developing Foundation funds), makes sounds and eye contact.

His parents said: “When people spend time with Tommy, they learn what a joy he is – his smile, cheekiness, big brown eyes, laughter and purity have been known to melt even the most serious of doctors.”

Mick McCarthy’s son Mark is driving a support camper van on the journey. They left from Westfield Garden City in Mount Gravatt this  morning (Sunday, August 18), having already raised more than $14,000.

The cycle will be broken into seven stages over seven days – from Mount Gravatt to Byron Bay (160km), then to Grafton (170km), Nambucca Heads (130km), Port Macquarie (120km) Bulahdelah (150km), The Entrance (160km) and finally, from The Entrance to Sydney (85k). The cyclists will arrive in the New South Wales state capital on Saturday, August 24, having ridden 1,046km in aid of Team Tommy.

The riders are Brad Wallace, Peter Viles and Mick.

To find out more about Tommy’s condition or make a donation, see http://www.developingfoundation.org.au/family/tommy

Irish Queenslander August-September 2013 is online. Just click on this link  to read it – http://issuu.com/irishqueenslander/docs/irish_queenslander_august-september
If you would like to subscribe and have the magazine sent to your door, just email Mary on editor@irishqueenslander.com

The Rhythm of the Dance tour, featured in the current issue of Irish Queenslander, has been cancelled.

Organisers, Memo Group, said: “It is with much regret that the organizers of Rhythm of the Dance have announced that the 2013 Tour is forced to be postponed. The tour was one of the most anticipated events of the year but due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to cancel the event. 

“At the eleventh hour the organizers of Rhythm of the Dance met and brainstormed but unfortunately no solution could be found.

 “Everyone who has purchased tickets for a show will be refunded. 

“The organizers of the tour would like to thank everyone that believed in this tour and who planned to attend and also apologize for this unfortunate conclusion. The Irish are a passionate group and everyone involved in putting this tour on were dedicated and deeply passionate for the cause and are very disheartened at this turn of events. All the support shown to this event has been much appreciated.”

Queensland dates had been planned for August 14 at The Irish Club, as well as dates in Ipswich, Gold Coast, Caloundra, Bundaberg, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba.

Organisers added that the show will definitely be playing Australia in 2014

As well as the list of stockists posted yesterday, here’s some more outlets where you can pick up your free copy of Irish Queenslander:

Foxy Bean, 896 Stanley St E, East Brisbane QLD 4169

Foodworks Morningside, 629 Wynnum Rd, Morningside QLD 4170 ‎*You also get 10% off any Irish purchase here, using the voucher in the magazine

McGuire’s Colmslie Hotel, Wynnum Rd, Morningside QLD 4170

Deli Talk, Cannon Hill Shopping Centre, Cannon HIll

Celtic Corner, 45 Cambridge Parade, Manly

Paddy’s Coffee House, 5/66 Florence Street, Wynnum

Chumley Warner Fish and Chips, 190 Birkdale Road, Birkdale

Britain on the Bayside, Shop 2, 190 Birkdale Road, Birkdale

More outlets to be added over the next few days. 

It’s early days, the launch took place yesterday at Gaelic Park, Willawong… but we’ve had a busy day dropping off copies of the first edition of Irish Queenslander all over Brisbane and the Gold Coast. So far, here’s where you can get your hands on a copy. This list will be added to all this week, as we continue on our rounds. Thank you to the people helping with distribution. And if you’d like to subscribe, send your address to editor@irishqueenslander.com

Outlets stocking Irish Queenslander FREE magazine:

Queensland Gaelic Football and Hurling Club, Bowhill Rd, Willawong

Irish Australian Support Association Queensland, 5 Abingdon St, Woolloongabba

Queensland Irish Club, 175 Elizabeth Street

Annerley Meats, Ipswich Road, Annerley

Mick O’Malleys, Wingtergarden Centre, 171-209 Queen Street

Pretty In The City beauty salon, Level 2, 117 Queen Street

Irish Murphy’s, 175 George Street

AMVL migration advice, Level 7, 199 George Street

Gilhooley’s, Cnr Albert and Charlotte Streets

Fiddler’s Elbow, Roma Street

AVP visa advice, 1/690 Brunswick Street, New Farm

GOLD COAST:

* Fiddlers Green Irish Pub,
39 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

* O Malleys on the Beach,
Level 1 – 1 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

* Waxys Irish Pub, 3206 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Surfers Paradise 

* Landsdowne Irish Pub, 3420 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise.

* Harrigans Drift Inn,
Hannigan’s Lane, Jacobs Well.

* Darcy Arms Motel Restaurant, 2923 Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise.

* Dublin Docks Tavern, Harbourtown Shopping Villiage, Oxley Drive, Biggera Waters.

* Kitty O Shea’s Irish Pub,
301/8 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise.