Renal patients need psychological backup to help them deal with the emotional and moral dilemmas they face when they get a kidney transplant.

That is why this year’s Lifecycle challenge will be raising money to offer psychological assistance to such patients, organisation chairman Alan Curry said.

“Knowing you have a new kidney from a dead person can cause moral dilemmas... When my wife, Carmen, got a renal transplant nine years ago I felt she needed more support...We met the family of her donor and, I can assure you, it was not a pleasant experience. I felt there was the need for the presence of a psychologist. There is still that gap in the system,” Mr Curry recalled.

This year’s 12th Lifecycle edition aims to attract 1,000 new people to register on the organ donor list and raise €200,000 to buy equipment for the renal unit, improve psychological support and buy a car to be used by unit staff to enable them to visit patients more regularly.

This year cyclists, who have been training since April, will make their way from Venice to Manchester during an 11-day trip starting on August 15.

The 2,100 kilometre route is considered one of the toughest bike routes in Europe. A hill climb at Switzerland’s St Gotthard Pass will be dedicated to Cliff Micallef, who died last year after he was hit by a car while training for Lifecycle.

Some 50 cyclists, of 10 different nationalities, have already expressed interest in taking part in this year’s event, sponsored by Betfair, Mr Curry said. They will be accompanied by a backup team of about 20 people, including bicycle mechanics, physiotherapists and doctors.

Founded in 1999, Lifecycle works to create awareness and raise funds and support for patients suffering from renal disease.

Donations can be made through the website www.lifecyclechallenge.com or by texting 5061 7370 to donate €2.33, 5061 8920 for €7 and 5061 9229 for €11.65. You can also phone 5004 9065 to give €10, 5004 9060 for €20 and 5004 9063 for €50.