Getting on their bikes for charity

The seven men will be cycling 125 miles between Lurgan and Donegal on Friday, June 18 to raise money for the Alzheimers Society.

The team of Wayne Lavery, Gordon Hamill, Liam McKerr, Ciaran Hartley, Cathal McGinn and Declan and Gerard Martin, all between the ages of 30 and 40, will finish up in Dunkineely with a welcoming party of friends, family and musicians from all over Ireland to hold an event to raise even more money for this worthy cause.

“Most of us doing ‘The Big Cycle’ are musicians,” said 38-year-old Wayne Lavery.

“We’re up in Donegal every month. Myself and Gordy Hamill would be to blame for the cycling idea. It’s the music that takes us there every month, it was our bright idea to cycle it.”

He continued: “I’m estimating it will take us about eight hours. Me and Liam did 91 miles in seven hours the other day. I’ve been training for seven weeks now. I bought a bike the week we decided to go for it.

“A few of the boys do triathlons and marathons. I think I’m the only one with no experience. I’ve thrown myself in at the deep end big time. At least when we get there we’ll have our fill of craic and music.”

He added: “There are a lot of people from the town living in Donegal. Dermy and Geraldine Coleman have done a lot of work towards this. They’re living there this 20 years.

“I’d like to thank Pat McIntyre who always looks after the musicians when they’re up in his pub for the weekend. He’s a great host.”

Wayne commented: “We couldn’t have done this without Alison (Crossey).”

Alison has been leading the work behind the scenes. She said: “We are working very hard within the community while the boys are in training. We have a support team in place to go along with the boys and to raise money along the way. And we have a great weekend to kick off at the finish line in Dunkineely."

She added: “Many people involved in the cycle and organising the event have been affected in some way by Alzheimers and it’s very important to raise awareness and raise money for the charity.

“The support so far in the preparation for 'The Big Cycle' is overwhelming and we hope you can all help us raise as much as possible.”

Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/Alison-Crossey