A five-county cycle in aid of LARCC cancer centre, Multyfarnham, proved a major success and the well-known local charity was delighted with the positive response to the impressive and novel challenge.
The 300km cycle across Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Carlow and Kilkenny was held on the weekend of 9 August and proved very rewarding for all involved.
The inaugural event was organised by St Mary’s CBS teacher Frank Dillon, who was delighted with the level of goodwill and support.
“The main thing I took from this very successful fundraising cycle was the camaraderie, the spirit and the friendship,” he said.
Although it reads as a serious endurance test, Mr. Dillon says all those taking part enjoyed the cycle, which took in some spectacular scenery as well as some testing roads. Spirits were high as the cyclists assembled for the off at the Mullingar Park Hotel early on Saturday morning. There were plenty of family, friends and well wishers there as the cyclists donned special yellow jerseys for the cycle.
Plenty of local businesses supported the cycle, with the names of Cleary Electrical, Euronics, New Ireland Assurance, Thomas Flynn & Sons and Whelehans Pharmacy emblazoned on the cyclists’ jerseys.
The small army of 24 men and women in yellow left Mullingar at 10am, with a break scheduled for Mountmellick. They arrived in Carlow at 3.15pm. After an evening of relaxation, the cyclists set out from Carlow at 9.30am, heading for Kilkenny on Sunday morning. The group arrived back in Mullingar in even better spirits than they set off in at 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
John Smith and Seamus Kiernan travelled in the support vehicles and reported that they only had two punctures in the entire group!
Bernie McHugh of LARCC expressed her gratitude to Frank Dillon and the group for their efforts. A substantial sum of money was raised by the cycle, which will have a huge benefit to those suffering from cancer, and their families.
