On Saturday 25th July, the Breffni Wheelers are organising a charity cycle that will take them through some of the nicest towns in Co. Cavan, in aid of the Cavan Branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI).
With the help of the Cavan Branch of CFAI and their collectors, the Breffni Wheelers hope to raise in excess of €20,000. The Breffni Wheelers are a social cycling group with about 23 members ranging in age from early twenties to late fifties. In the three years since they have been established, the cyclists have raised funds for charities such as Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, The Niall Melon Trust and Cavan Lions Club. Their last charity cycle in 2008, from Dublin to Cavan brought in €17,500.
Starting at 10am, the Breffni Wheelers will leave the Post Office in Cavan Town, they will head towards Ballinagh and then on to Kilnaleck, Ballyjamesduff and then Virginia. From Virginia the cyclists will head back towards Cavan on the N3, stopping at Kiernans Texaco Filling Station at approximately 1.30pm on the outskirts of Cavan Town where other cyclists can join them for the second stage of the cycle. The second stage, starting at 2pm, will bring the group along the by-pass to Butlersbridge, on to Belturbet then Milltown, Killeshandra, then Crossdoney and finally back to Cavan Town.
When their day in the saddle is done, the Breffni Wheelers will gather for a social evening (without their bikes!) at one of Cavan’s fine local hostelries to be announced on the day of the cycle.
Organiser, Ciaran McDonnell from the Breffni Wheelers said “Each year our charity cycles go from strength to strength and they are a great way for our members to fundraise and at the same time experience a really great fun activity. This year we decided to fundraise for the Cavan Branch of CFAI, as it was an opportunity to fundraise for a group that will benefit locally. Ireland has the highest incidence of CF per capita in the world and many of the issues relating to the illness can be alleviated by proper resources around the country.”
Ciaran added ” We understand that not everybody will not be able for the kind of distances involved in this cycle; but we would like to invite people to join us along the route, even if only to cycle with us for a couple of miles. All we ask of the cyclists who join us is that they wear the appropriate safety gear and also that they make a donation or raise funds for the charity.” Sponsorship cards are available from Abbeyset, Farnham Street, Cavan, Main Street Barbers, Main Street, Cavan and Sharkeys Filling Station on Farnham Road, Cavan. For further information call Ciaran McDonnell on (087) 2932677.
