'Savagely difficult challenge' for a good cause

There are a lot of ups and downs in life. When you are on the up things are going well, but when you are on the down, well...

Cycling is the opposite. The ups can be ogeous slogs, but the knowledge that you will be freewheeling on the other side make them tolerable.

Cavan gives you many of those experiences. Shane Smith’s 300km trip around the county would not have had many flat stretches, but the June 20 journey was for a very noble cause.

Shane and two companions did the trek as a fundraiser for Millie Byrne and Heart Children Ireland, the support group in Ireland for parents and families of children, adolescents and adults with Congenital Heart Disease.

“I enjoy cycling so on Saturday 20th June myself, Luke and our friend JB decided to do a 300km cycle around the entire perimeter of County Cavan,” Shane said of the endeavour. “The cycle took us over ten hours, 8,500 calories and 3,000 metres of climbing.

“We decided not to fundraise prior to the cycle as we were dependent on variables such as weather and whether the distance restrictions would allow us. I have been inspired by the work of Heart Children Ireland and the wonderful work carried out locally over the last few weeks to help Milly and her family and wanted to support them by raising money,” he said.

Millie Byrne has been through a very difficult time. Little Milly was 22 months old when she fell seriously ill. Milly suffered heart failure. She was transferred from Drogheda Hospital to Crumlin Children’s Hospital within a matter of hours was transferred to the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle UK, underwent further tests and was diagnosed with a condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Milly is now waiting on a heart transplant and will have to stay in the UK until she gets one.

“Heart Children Ireland has supported Milly and her family from the beginning, so we are raising funds for them,” Shane said.

The member of Moynalty Cycling Club is asking people to go to the everydayhero web page to support the fundraising drive: “Even though we all cycle regularly the endless hills in Cavan and strong wind on the day made this a savagely difficult challenge.

“I have never used the bike before as a way of fundraising but I have been very inspired over the last few weeks by how the entire community has got behind Milly and her family at this difficult time.”