A fundraiser in memory of Portlaoise man Emlyn O'Reilly has reached new heights, with the wider Laois community rallying around the annual charity cycle.

Clubs, businesses and groups across the county have rallied behind Powerpoint Engineering, the Portlaoise business holding their annual fundraiser in memory of their dearly-missed colleague Emlyn.

Employees Johan Erasmus, David Phelan, Gavin Deering and Conor McGarry took on a 600km charity cycle from Lovinac to Dubrovnik, Croatia, From September 19 to 22.

Pictured: Participants of the Powerpoint Engineering charity cycle

Each year, the group raises funds for the Down Syndrome Centre Midlands, with the 2025 fundraiser for Friends of the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore in memory of Emlyn, per his wishes.

Over €52,000 has been donated to the charity through their GoFundMe page, with Powerpoint Engineering founder Liam Davis donating €40,000 to Down Syndrome Centre Midlands from his own pocket.

"The fundraiser was a brilliant experience, it was our fifth year doing it and it was extra special and emotional," Gavin Deering of Powerpoint Engineering told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Certainly Emlyn was in our thoughts every day as we cycled."

The fundraisers have said that the support of their fundraiser has been 'phenomenal'.

"All of the support and messages we have received have been phenomenal. Our charity partner is Down Syndrome Centre in Portlaoise, and the kids were sending lovely messages to us every day along the cycle," Mr Deering said.

Pictured: The fundraiser in aid of Emlyn O'Reilly

"We got beautiful videos all week that kept us going. Every donation of €10 and €20 all added up to this fantastic figure," he said.

"While we were fundraising for Tullamore, Liam Davis continued support the centrE and gave €40,000 to them. The centre has a new sensory room named for Emlyn, the support was so lovely."

Mr Deering said that this fundraiser was one of Emlyn's wishes, which they arranged themselves to undertake in his honour.

"He was very active in his community, the soccer club and The Heath were fantastic in supporting the fundraiser too. Emlyn was obsessed with golf, he was a former captain and president of the club, and they held a tournament in his honour," Mr Deering explained.

"He was a groundsman with the soccer club for years too, and they held a memorial cup. We just want to thank everyone for their support," he said.

"It's a fantastic legacy in Emlyn's honour. We are still open to donations, and a cheque presentation will take place in the coming weeks," Mr Deering finished.

You can donate to the fundraiser for Friends of the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore in memory of Emlyn O'Reilly here.

See Next: IN PICTURES: More than 30 nationalities celebrated at Laois school