AN Ederney man is hoping to raise £5,000 for charity by competing in a punishing endurance cycle along 555kms of rugged Donegal coastline this weekend.

Martin Gallogley (44), a self-employed electrical contractor, is part of a two-man team taking part in this year’s Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race, which is due to set off from Letterkenny this morning (Friday).

Mr. Gallogley, who lives in Grove Heights along with wife Nichola and daughters Niamh and Eimear, is aiming to raise vital funds for both the Enniskillen branch of Diabetes UK and the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland.

He was inspired to take up cycling only a few years ago after Niamh, a pupil at St. Joseph’s Primary School who coincidentally turns 11 today, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

“She was only eight years old at the time, so it was obviously both a very physical and emotional strain on her and all of the family. Diabetes UK and Diabetes Ireland have been a great source of support to us as we try to adjust to a new lifestyle,” Mr. Gallogley said.

Back in July 2015, the Ederney man competed in the Ring of Kerry charity cycle, a gruelling 112-mile, one-day event of hill climbs, but he admitted that the Donegal race will be “a big step up”.

Joining him in tackling what is one of the ultimate endurance challenges on both sides of the Border will be Columba Gallen, who is originally from Scraghey, but now living in Ballybofey.

“It was his idea,” Mr. Gallogley said. “He asked me around the start of March, and my immediate reply was ‘Is there nobody else you can ask other than me?’ But eventually I said I would do it, in order to raise money for charity.”

The competitors, from across the UK, Ireland and abroad, will take on some of the most scenic roadways to be found anywhere in the world.

The route will take them past Malin Head, Mamore Gap, Knockalla, Atlantic Drive, Horn Head, Carrickfin, Glengesh Pass, Sliabh League and Barnesmore Gap.

The time allowed to complete the race is 40 hours – but the determined duo are aiming to be finished within 24 hours!

Mr. Gallogley said: “With the famous hills of Donegal and the coastal headwinds, this will be a completely different prospect from cycling anywhere else. The training has certainly been a lot more intense this time.

"We’ve been cycling up to 100 miles when we’ve been out, and we’ve already cycled the route of the race over three days. Before doing the race, we were advised to do all the climbs and familiarise ourselves with the terrain as we will be cycling non-stop and through the night.

"During the race, Columba and I will be taking it in turns and doing half the route each.

“There will be a support crew with a van to go behind us. They’ll have the food, any spare parts and somewhere to sleep.

“We’re hoping to do it in 24 hours, but that might be too ambitious!”

If you would like to donate to Martin and Columba’s cycle challenge, then visit the JustGiving page by clicking here.