Charity cycle from Paris to Carrickmore

BY CONOR COYLE
c.coyle@ulsterherald.com

A CHARITY cycle starting at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and finishing in Termonmaguirc is to take place this August to raise funds for cancer patients in Carrickmore.

The event is being organised by the Termonmaguirc Cancer Patients Comfort Fund in conjunction with the Termon Wheelers cycling club.

The charity has provided support to cancer patients in the Carrickmore area for over 40 years.

Termon Wheelers chairman, Robert Kelly, said that 20 cyclists had signed up to the event already, ranging from beginners to experienced cyclists.

“We are training for the event online at the moment and it has been a great success so far. We hope with restrictions being eased over the next few weeks that we can start outdoor training at the weekends.

“There are 20 cyclists already signed up to the event, which is fantastic,” he added.

Mr Kelly said the charity cycle is being planned as a physical event in the hope that international travel restrictions will be lifted. The event is due to take place between August 24 and 28.

“The Cancer Patients Comfort Fund approached us about the idea and it grew from there. A lot of the cyclists are beginners, with more experienced cyclists helping them. It really is for anybody to get involved.”

A special ‘Eiffel to Termon’ cycling jersey is being released to mark the cycle, while training for the race currently takes place virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm. “We will be setting up a link to a GoFundMe page via our Facebook account, so people can donate through that,” said Mr Kelly.

Participants will set off for Paris on August 24, with the cycle to begin the following day. The cyclists will cover 555km during the trip, travelling through Normandy to Cherbourg before catching the ferry to Dublin. From there, the group will make the final jaunt towards Carrickmore.

For donations and enquiries about participating in the event, the organisers can be reached via the ‘Eiffel to Termon Charity Cycle’ Facebook page. “All donations will be gratefully accepted and will go to this amazing charity that works throughout our community,” the event organisers added.

Joey Kelly, trustee from the Termonmaguirc Cancer Patients Comfort Fund, sent on the below this morning and asked for it to be included in the story about the charity cycle.

On behalf of the Termonmaguirc Cancer Patients Comfort Fund committee, chairman, Joey Kelly, said, “We would like to thank Termon Wheelers for choosing our charity and wish Rob Kelly and his team all the best with this massive fundraising event.”