Hitting the roads of Laois to help Portlaoise hospital

The much-anticipated Road to Recovery fundraising event is returning on Sunday, 22nd February 2026, and organisers are inviting the whole community to take part in a day of driving and camaraderie while supporting the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital.

The event was established by Toney Ryan and his family following Toney’s own health challenges. The name “Road to Recovery” reflects his personal journey through illness, treatment and recovery.

What began as a personal initiative has grown into a major annual fundraiser, drawing strong support from across Laois and beyond.

Originally launched to support the St James’s Hospital Skin Cancer Unit, the Road to Recovery run has raised over €12,000 for that cause in its first three years.

Last year, the Ryan family, led by dad, Toney, chose to bring the fundraiser closer to home by donating proceeds to the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital, helping improve care for patients at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

The 2025 edition raised a significant €6,800, helping the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital to purchase life-saving equipment, including a breast pump for the Special Care Baby Unit and a McGrath Mac laryngoscope handle for use in Theatre and Accident & Emergency.

Áine Reams is the Treasurer of the Friends of Portlaoise Hospital. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

“We are so grateful to Toney, Margaret, Niamh, Leon and Aaron for holding their Road Run in aid of the Friends again this year. This event will help raise much-needed funds for the patients of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Without the support of people like the Ryan family, we wouldn’t be able to fulfil our mission of enhancing patient comforts at the hospital,” she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Toney is also looking forward to the event.

“We are excited to launch another Road to Recovery Road Run. Over the past years we’ve had tremendous support, and we hope this year will be bigger and better than ever. We encourage everyone to take part, bring their vehicles, or cheer us on, all help makes a difference,” he said.

Friends of Portlaoise Hospital is dedicated to raising funds to enhance patients' comfort. The "Friends" is a small voluntary committee established in April 1991 with the main aim being to improve patient comfort in the hospital on Portlaoise's Dublin Road.

They aim to do this do this by providing the hospital team with much-needed supplies and medical equipment. They rely solely on donations and fundraising from events like the Road to Recovery.

Registration for the Castletown to Portlaoise event will be held from 12:30 pm at Castletown ICA Hall, with the convoy departing at 2 pm. Participants will travel together from Castletown ICA Hall, through Mountrath, onto the motorway at Junction 18, exit at Junction 16, pass by Portlaoise hospital, continue through Portlaoise town by the Garda Station, and head out the Abbeyleix Road onto the motorway before returning to Castletown ICA Hall for refreshments, an auction and a raffle.

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The event has previously attracted a wide range of vehicles, including trucks, vans, jeeps, 4x4s, cars and vintage cars, bringing together vehicle enthusiasts of all kinds, as the community comes together to support a great cause.
If you would like to donate you can do so on www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/roadtorecovery2026

If you would like to find out more about the Friends you can check out their website at www.friendsofthehospital.wixsite.com/portlaoise or you can email friendsofportloaisehospital@ yahoo.com