Charity cycle raises almost €2,500

A fundraising cycle surpassed its €1,000 goal to secure €2,495 for the Irish Cancer Society. David Johnston, Mark Johnston and their cousin, also called Mark Johnston, recently undertook the 130km cycle and walk round trip from Cavan Town to Cuilcagh Mountain for the cancer charity.

“We did this to raise awareness and funds for the charity,” David told the Celt, “We have had members of our family and friends diagnosed with cancer. The funds are going to those who need it most. I have undertaken this cycle by myself three years in a row now. I've always wanted to do it for a charity, so I roped my brother and cousin into it with me this year.”

David said it was a challenging journey: “I am into cycling so I didn't find it too bad. The two boys found it tough enough because they were only training for two weeks. The rain did batter us most of the way up to the mountain, it was windy as well.

“We were fine when we got to the top of the mountain. It was on the way back, when we took a rest the legs started to seize up a wee bit,” he said of the journey.

Battled cancer

Cancer has touched every family in Ireland. David says it was nice to be able to do something small: “We have had uncles and aunts who battled cancer. My own dad had it three years ago. He is over it now, having got the all clear, so it was nice to do it with him in mind.”

The trio set up the GoFundMe page and promoted it through their Facebook pages. David says that the arduous journey will not have put his companions off undertaking the challenge again next year: “They are looking forward to the next one,” he laughed.

Anyone who wants to donate can still do so on the GoFundMe page, just search Davie Johnston, Irish Cancer Society.