Micras 2 Mongolia Press Release
Two Rusty Micras, Four Friends, and over 13,500km of chaos – All for a charity!
Ever watched Top Gear, the Long Way Round wondering, “What if?” Well, four Irish friends decided what if wasn’t good enough—they’re actually doing it!
This summer, Fergal Keane (former RTE journalist), Jimmy Flynn, Paul Reilly, and Cian Reilly are piling into two extremely “well-loved” Nissan Micras and driving from Dublin to Mongolia. Yes, Mongolia. And yes, in Micras. However, this year due to current geopolitics the race has been shortened a bit to end in Eastern Kazakhstan.
Why? Because they’re mad? Possibly. But more importantly, they’re doing it for a cause that’s close to their hearts and changes peoples lives every day.
While the Mongol Rally is known for its bonkers, no-frills, no-help approach to long-distance car chaos, Fergal and the lads have added a powerful purpose to the madness. They’re using their 13,700km journey across Europe and Asia—through deserts, over mountains, across borders and breakdowns—to raise vital funds for Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII).
SII is the only organisation in Ireland dedicated solely to supporting people who have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI)—a life-altering injury that the World Health Organisation calls one of the most devastating injuries a person can experience.
“We’ll face the odd border guard, dodgy suspension, and questionable petrol stations—but that’s nothing compared to the daily battles people with spinal cord injuries face,” Fergal Keane, Team Micras2Mongolia.
Every cent raised will go directly to Spinal Injuries Ireland—because the lads are footing the full cost of the journey themselves. Their target? Raise €500 for 100 people newly injured this year so that SII can give them the full offering of support they need to get back to living their lives to the fullest.
SII’s life-changing services include:
- Free trauma counselling
- Peer mentoring from people who themselves have a spinal cord injury
- Nationwide outreach officers
- Accessible events and activities
- Advocacy for better policies and accessibility
- A community that gets it—from day one
Every week, three people in Ireland sustain a spinal cord injury. The team wants to make sure these individuals aren’t left to face the future alone.
Fiona Bolger, CEO, Spinal Injuries Ireland; “We are really proud of the challenge the team are taking on for SII. They are doing it to fulfil a lifelong dream but have not lost sight of the challenges others in the community face each and every day. Sustaining a spinal cord injury is devastating and traumatic. We will always be here for them from the moment of injury for as long as they need us. With people like Fergal, Paul, Cian, and James raising funds and awareness we can continue to provide our vital services.”
Media and the public are invited to attend the team’s send off on Wednesday 2nd July in McGrattan’s Pub, Fitzwilliam Lane at 6.30pm. The soon-to-be infamous Micras will be there to check out.
You can follow their journey—including the bumps, breakdowns, border crossings, and maybe a few roadside food experiments—on Instagram and X:
Instagram: @micras2mongolia
Fergal Keane X.com: @fergalrte
Donate today and help the team turn their wild dream into real-world support for people living with spinal cord injuries in Ireland today – idonate.ie/micras2mongolia
MEDIA CONTACT:
Fiona Bolger
CEO, Spinal Injuries Ireland
Micras2Mongolia team are also available for interviews before, during, and after their adventure.
Further Information:
About Spinal Injuries Ireland
According to the World Health Organisation a spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating and life changing injuries that a person can sustain. Founded in 1994, Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII) is a registered charity that actively supports people who sustain a spinal cord injury and the family and friends who love them. As the only support and service agency in Ireland of its kind, we provide a person-centred service to assist people to engage fully in society.
Spinal Injuries Ireland is the only organisation in Ireland that supports people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) post-rehab. We work with patients from the moment they are injured for as long as they need us in their lives. We provide peer to peer support, free trauma counselling, accessible activities, nationwide outreach officers, and we advocate on behalf of individuals and the whole SCI community as a group on a wide range of issues.
Spinal Injuries Ireland www.spinalinjuries.ie
About Mongol Rally
This is the greatest motoring adventure on the planet. This is 10,000 miles of chaos across mountains, deserts and roads ranging from bad to not-a-road in a tiny car you bought from a scrapyard for £4.60.
There’s no backup. There’s no set route. There’s no guarantee you’ll make it to the end. It’s just you, your rolling rust bucket and a planet-earth sized adventure.
