Eiffel to Termon cyclists raise £50,000 for cancer fund

ONE road. Four days. Twenty-seven cyclists. 555km. £50,000.

Those are all of the numbers you need to understand the monumental feat of charity the ‘Eiffel to Termon’ cyclists are performing in aid of Termonmaguirc Cancer Patients Comfort Fund, which supports local people battling cancer in Termonmaguirc parish.

Taking in Carrickmore and Loughmacrory, and stretching across to Beragh and Fintona, the Termonmaguirc Fund has been providing financial support for parishioners with a cancer diagnosis for 40 years.

Many of those participating in the cycle have witnessed at first-hand the importance of the fund.

The man who spearheaded the cycle is Robert Kelly, after his wife, Amanda, who was diagnosed with cancer, received invaluable help from the fund. So far, Robert has expressed his appreciation to the tune of £50,000, and you can still donate at ‘Eiffel To Termon Charity Cycle’ Facebook page.

The 27 cyclists departed for France in the early hours of Monday morning, and began their unique charity challenge at the world-famous Eiffel Tower in Paris yesterday (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, today (Thursday), the group tackle 107 miles in the second stage of their gruelling journey. They hope to be back in Carrickmore on Saturday.

Dearbhla McDonald is a 23-year-old from Gortin who joined the team quickly after Robert announced it eight months ago.

She is confident that every participant who boarded the bus that left the marshy countryside of Creggan earlier this week will be returning home with their backside on the saddle.

She said, “We are only a day in but everyone is doing well – the vans are still only carrying equipment and support personnel; all cyclists are still on their bikes.”

BY EMMET McELHATTON

e.mcelhatton@ulsterherald.com