There was a fantastic turnout for the annual ‘Sandra’s Run’ in south west Donegal on Saturday July 1st.
Three hundred and twenty bikers on bikes, trikes and scooters turned out on the rainy day to ride for a good cause.
‘Sandra’s Run’ is an annual motor bike ride which this year raised money for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland. All money raised will be donated to raising both awareness and much-needed research funds for the charity. Every county in Ireland was represented as bikers rode to Donegal for the event.
Each year the organisers, Jim and Rosaleen Boyle of Killybegs, County Donegal, bikers themselves, gather other bikers from all over the world to raise money for various hospitals and charities.
Bushes, trees, fences, seats, street lights and buildings across the area are bedecked with teddies and other stuffed toys and dolls.
Jim and Rosaleen are the parents of Sandra after whom the event is named, started ‘Sandra’s Motorcycle Run’ in honour of their daughter Sandra who sadly passed away on the 21st of May 1991 after a battle with leukaemia. It was the eve of her 18th birthday.
Sandra Boyle
Jim and Rosaleen’s other daughter, Dianne, has been diagnosed with a rare muscular condition and three of their nephews (3 adult brothers) are each confined to motorised wheelchairs. The couple have many friends who suffer from different types of muscle disorders.
It is hoped that donations from Sandra’s Run this year will make a difference to the lives of people of all ages and it is hoped that a cure can be found for all progressive wasting muscle disorders.
Over the years ‘Sandra’s Run’ has raised well in excess of a quarter of a million euro. In its first year, 14 bikes took part and last year this had risen to 290 bikes.
The success of Saturday’s event was celebrated with a dinner and music and dancing at the Tara Hotel Killybegs.
The great weekend was rounded off with Sandra’s Run Sunday Boat Trip around the magnificent Sliabh Liag Cliffs.
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