All roads led to the Bounty last Friday, June 3 as the presentation of the proceeds of the Anthony O’Brien Memorial Cycle were made to heart and stroke charity Croí.
After Anthony’s sudden death in April last year, friends and family under the leadership of his wife Deirdre organised a 97km cycle from Athlone to Galway in his memory.
A network of support was mobilised and the cycle which took place on May 1 had over 250 participants and a large support team. The event succeeded in raising a total of €95,000 for Croí, who provide vital support to heart and stroke patients and their families in the Midlands and West and are also involved in many prevention initiatives.
Other fundraising efforts, both locally and stretching from Dublin to Dubai and even Perth, Australia, included cake sales, busking, and a famous table quiz and auction night in the Bounty.
The final amount of €95,000 surpassed even the most fanciful of hopes at the outset of organising the cycle in the depths of winter. The juggernaut of support which started rolling in January and gathered considerable momentum was a fitting tribute to a man at the heart of his community. This will find permanence too in bricks and mortar, as Croí are to name part of their new family support structure beside UCH Galway the Anthony O’Brien Unit, to provide accommodation to family members of cardiac patients in the hospital.
On Friday the proceeds of the fundraising efforts were presented to CEO of Croí, Mr Neil Johnson. The O’Brien family and organising committee would like to thank all of the generous sponsors who made the event possible and to the cyclists, support team, and all who contributed to its success.
