FEW doubted the stamina of local man Johnny Patterson’s Rise to the Challenge project to cycle 26 counties for cancer.
But not even the fanatically-fit Johnny could have completed that challenge on an empty stomach!
So it’s just as well that Kavanagh’s SuperValu of Ballybofey and Donegal Town generously donated €300 worth of food for the event.
Dedicated to “Real Food Real People”, SuperValu stepped up to nutritionally support the team and keep them fed and watered throughout their long trip home.
Charlie Ferry, Manager of Kavanagh’s SuperValu Ballybofey said they were delighted to help Johhny out.
“It was a pleasure to help out our local Donegal man Johnny Patterson to complete his mammoth task in aid of cancer. We were more than happy to donate food to fuel Johnny and his team along their journey”
Putting their physical, mental and emotional determination to the test Johnny, accompanied by Darren McNamee mounted their bikes and took the road for their seven day 26-County Cycle for four cancer charities: Irish Cancer Society, Marie Keating Foundation, Donegal Hospice and the Oncology Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital.
From an early morning start in Castlepollard on Friday 11th of March the boys rallied against the rain through Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, and Meath before navigating through Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Carlow and Wicklow.
They journeyed to Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford, Tipperary and Cork on Sunday. Monday brought them to Limerick, Kerry and Clare as they began the steep cycle back to the Northwest. They were off to Galway, Offaly and Roscommon on Tuesday and Wednesday saw them arrive in Mayo.
With the Hills of Donegal in sight last Thursday they cycled through Sligo and Leitrim and finally home to Ramelton on Friday.
Family, friends and neighbors took to the streets of Ramelton at 7p.m. Friday evening to warmly welcome the boys and the Rise to the Challenge team home.
They were greeted by the Town Band playing their All Ireland Fleadh selection as they cycled the last of their grueling 1000 miles.
After a fantastic overview of the boys accomplishment by Danny Cullen, and presentations to both Darren and Johnny the community joined in the O’Donnell Arms to share their journey through video footage.
Johnny set out as one man with one goal and he extended many thanks to all those who helped him achieve his goal.
“The level of support our initiative has received has been outstanding and has inspired me to complete the huge task we set out to do so many months ago.
“ I would like to thank all involved especially to my family and friends, to Darren for travelling the long road home with me, to Michael Black for getting me on the bike, to all the Rise to the Challenge team for the help and support throughout the whole way and to Kavanagh’s SuperValu for the much needed and greatly appreciated meals at every stop”
He also extended thanks to Aileen Boyce, Helen Crerand and the Donegal GAA team, and to Kevin and Marie McFadden for all their help in fundraising and organizing the 26-County Cycle for cancer.
Ends
Tags:
