Tuam cyclists embark on charity challenges at home and abroad

By JACQUELINE HOGGE 'We have received great support from local businesses such as O'Neill's Cycles, who have given Charlene a bike for the challenge, and also Quinn's Shop in Bishop Street who have been accepting donations on our behalf, and have always been very good to our family. 'Dad is still fighting every day and while he has deteriorated since he was first diagnosed three years ago, we know we're very lucky that he's still here as MND can kill in a matter of weeks. 'All the money we raise will remain in Galway and will go towards helping the local branch of the charity provide specialist nurses and equipment for MND patients throughout the county. It's a fabulous resource to have and that is why we are doing this, to help fund the amazing work the charity is doing to help MND sufferers and their families cope with the illness.' Meanwhile, Togher man Gerry McGrath is hoping to raise €2,000 in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation's Nurses for Night Care programme by cycling a distance of 660 km from Lyon to Nice. Along with his friend Fin Garvey from Moycullen, they are hoping to complete a five-day cycle that will bring them along part of the Tour de France route that includes a 21km constant incline. 'I've been a novice cyclist for years and had been thinking of combining my interest in it with a charitable venture, when Fin called me up to ask me if I'd join him in this challenge,' said Gerry. 'We are friends through our membership of the Galway Baroque Singers and while my wife and I had been contemplating a holiday in France this year, once Fin rang with his suggestion, it was something I couldn't pass up.' The two Galway men will be part of an overall group of 46 cyclists from Ireland involved in the cycle next month. 'We've attended an information weekend hosted by the hospice foundation in Kilkenny where we met many of those taking part,' said Gerry. 'While there seem to be a few veterans of such challenges, there are plenty too who would be at the same level of fitness as ourselves, so hopefully we won't get left behind.' The men will spend up to ten hours a day cycling in intense heat along a route that includes several hills and valleys, but they are reassured by the professional organisation of the trip by the charity. 'We will have medical and mechanical teams travelling with us, and they will group us by ability, with about six cyclists in each team, so while I'm nervous, I know that it's all in a great cause and it will be a wonderful experience.' The Nurses for Night Care service allows patients with terminal conditions other than cancer to access a night nursing service, enabling them to remain at home during the last days of their illness. The hospice service maintains the continuity of care that the patient experiences during the day, supported by the palliative homecare team and surrounded by family. Based on figures from last year, the cost of one night's service was over €320, and with costs increasing, the charity needs to raise more than €325,000 to fund the service for 2012. 'We are funding the cost of the trip ourselves, in addition to the €2,000 minimum target we must raise, and we are being supported by our friends in the Galway Baroque Singers, who will host a fundraising concert later this month in aid of the charity cycle challenge,' added Fin. The summer concert will take place on Thursday, June 28 at 8.30pm at Claddagh Church. To support either challenge, log on to www.mycharity.ie/event/charlene_mcgoughs_event/ to support the Cycle for Michael fundraiser, while Gerry and Fin are receiving donations through their page at www.mycharity.ie/event/fg_cyclechallenge2012/ Donations to the Irish Hospice Foundation challenge can also be made through a special bank account at Bank of Ireland, sort code 901351, account number 81178600, with lodgments to be accredited to Gerry or Fin. Donations for the Cycle for Michael challenge are being accepted at Quinn's Shop, Bishop Street, Tuam.[/private]