€4,000 for St Vincent’s Foundation in Dublin. Back (from left): Dermot Brady, cyclist and Mountnugent GFC; P.J. McGovern, Cavan CF and parent; Brian Finnegan, secretary, Mountnugent GFC; Rosaleen Cronin, Cavan branch CF; Bridie Kearney, Mountnugent; Mary Greene, fundraiser with Mountnugent CF; Joe Greene, Supporter and Ray Dunne, CF Cavan; front, Arthur O’Reilly, chairman, Mountnugent GFC; Anne McGovern, receiving cheque on behalf of St Vincent’s Foundation and Tess Brady, chairperson of the local CF committee.

Cycle raises 20K for club and charity

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Cyclists enter the village of Mountnugent at the end of their 100km cycle. Picasa

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Sam Bennett would be proud of the wonderful cyclists in Mountnugent as the complete their 100km on the run home into Mountnugent. Picasa

Sean McMahon

Published: Mon 28 Sep 2020, 12:07 PM

Last updated: Mon 28 Sep 2020, 12:08 PM

Mountnugent GAA Club have raised €20,000 this year, despite Covid restrictions, through their annual 100Km cycle to benefit both the local club and St Vincent’s Hospital Foundation.

The chairman of the club, Arthur O’Reilly, said members pulled out all the stops this year despite Coronavirus restrictions.

“We organise an annual 100km cycle, which takes place on the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday weekend, and we are delighted to support Cystic Fibrosis this year,” he said.Over €120,000 has been raised for various charities between 1983 and 2019.

A total of 60 cyclists participated in the 2020 event. Tess Brady has been involved in fundraising for various causes for the past 35 years and said the support of local people for good causes never wanes.

Local man Ned Reilly is a great exponent of cycling and Keith Greene, who is also a keen cyclist, was one of the main drivers behind this year’s event.

He pointed out that the number of incidents of CF in the community is quite high and the fundraiser was well supported.

During the 100km cycle, the cyclists were supported by motorbike stewards and they stopped at the Meadow View Inn and Lisgrey House for refreshments and were well looked after at both venues.

“The club raised a total of €20,000 from the cycle, which is an annual event, with €4,000 of that going this year to the CF Foundation and the remainder will be used for ongoing development in the club,” explained Arthur.

“There is great enthusiasm for cycling in the area and in the club and this makes it easier to organise and stage the event each year,” he added.

Refreshments were also served on the street in the village when the cyclists all returned. “It proved to be a great community day for all the family,” said Arthur.

Cycling Ireland covered the insurance for the event and it was not possible to get a permit for a bucket collection in 2020 due to Covid-19.

John Hickey, voluntary CEO of the St Vincent’s Foundation, congratulated all involved in raising the €4,000 for CF.

“It is a fantastic amount of money and we are very grateful for it”, he said, pointing out that the voluntary foundation is 12 years old.

John said that Cystic Fibrosis is very difficult and has claimed so many young lives, but enormous progress has been made in terms of research, care and equipment. He said the patients he has encountered in St Vincent’s are most positive and courageous in dealing with their illness.

The foundation raises money for patient care, research and medical education.

P.J. McGoverrn and his wife Anne thanked and congratulated all involved in this wonderful fundraising effort. Their daughter Valerie Kellaghan, who has CF, attends St Vincent’s Hospital and is the mother of twins, Lily and Jack. Ray Dunne from the Cavan CF branch also extolled the virtues of all involved in the annual fundraiser.

P.J. said their daughter is keeping very well and is a fanatic for fitness and she has a little mini gym at home in the house. “Fitness is the key to keeping well with Cystic Fibrosis,” he said.