A new 50km charity cycle has been organised by a Ballina man as a “fitting” way of thanking cancer nurses who cared for his late mother.
The inaugural 50km Cycle for All will take place on Sunday, March 8 with all proceeds going towards the Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nursing service.
Cycle organiser Ciarán Sweeney said: "Our mother Betty Sweeney sadly passed away last May after a battle with cancer. Having a nurse during the night was such a comfort to our family knowing that she was not in any pain.”
He added: "When speaking to the nurse who was looking after our mother she explained that the vast majority of funding for the service comes from public donations through events like Daffodil Day on Friday, March 27, which is why we wanted to give back in our own way.
"Our mother always tried to do a charity event every year. She would have run three or four cycles from her pub in Ballina An Seán Síbín, and raised nearly €100,000 doing everything from mock weddings, mock funerals and blind dates for different causes, so we see it as a fitting tribute.”
Registrations for the cycle will take place from 9am at North West Fitness Academy in Crossmolina at a price of €15, all of which goes towards the Irish Cancer Society’s Night Nursing service.
The riders will depart Crossmolina at 10am for a round route taking in Ballina and Killala, and there will also be a static cycle in the town with two spinning bikes and a bucket collection.
"This event is a fantastic gesture by the family to commemorate their mother in a way that contributes something to other families who might need night nursing in future. The Irish Cancer Society is proud to support what promises to be a very enjoyable occasion for cyclists of all levels," said Lorraine Toner, Midwest Community Fundraiser with the Society.
Anyone not taking part in the cycle can also donate any amount they wish to a GoFundMe page specially set up for the event at the link below, and one lucky donor will be chosen as the winner of a Mayo jersey donated by goalkeeper David Clarke and signed by the entire squad.
Further details are available at the Cycle for All Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/499474734338184/ GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-cycle-for-all?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet.
