Tuam native and London to Ballaghaderreen cyclist, Fr Gerard Quirke pictured with Bobby Burke, Mullaghmore, Moylough and Fidelma Carty, Mountbellew. The London to Ballaghaderreen cycle has raised 200,000 GBP so far and counting and donations can be made by visiting justgiving.com and searching for L

Young Tuam priest helps raise £200,000 for charity


ONE of the youngest priests in the Tuam Archdiocese, Fr Gerard Quirke from Tuam, was part of a group that raised £200,000 sterling on a cycle from London to Ballaghaderreen.
The five-day fundraising bike ride in aid of the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association and Alzheimer’s is still raising sponsorship.
The cycle was spearheaded by Skehana native Finbar Holian after his brother-in-law passed away from motor neuron disease.
It saw 31 cyclists depart London on day one, to be joined by a further 15 cyclists on arrival in Dublin en route to Ballaghderreen.
The group included Fr Gerard Quirke from Tuam, ordained in 2018 and now based in Westport, and Mullaghmore, Moylough native, Bobby Burke.
The 563 km (350 miles) generated a huge live following on social media throughout their trip and the organising committee have been overwhelmed by the interest and generous donations received by individuals and sponsors.
“We’ve been blown over by the level of support thus far as our original goal had been to raise £100,000 and to date that figure now stands at £200,000 and counting,” Fr Quirke said.
“If folk still wish to donate the opportunity to do so will continue until the end of October by visiting the site; justgiving.com and searching for the L2B Bike Ride,” he went on to add.
The cycle reached their destination in Ballaghderreen on Saturday evening at 6pm where thousands of followers turned up to welcome the troupe home at the local GAA club. The master of ceremonies on the evening was Senator John O’Mahony.
Previously, while in Dublin, the group were welcomed by a large reception at Croke Park.