Gordon pedals for pounds

In June Gordon Ringland, 23, joined his brother-in-law William Johnston and four of his colleagues, in the Co-operation Ireland Maracycle.

The charity cycling event, which started in 1984, sees cyclists leave Belfast City Hall and the Mansion House Dublin simultaneously riding between the two cities.

Gordon, originally from Lambeg, enjoys cycling and said he wanted to support the Mary G McGeown Regional Nephrology Unit at the Belfast City Hospital because of the great treatment his father Victor has recived.

The Unit provides regional renal services to all of Northern Ireland.

Gordon said he enjoyed competing in the two day 220 mile event which took him just over 18 hours to complete and next year he is hoping to reduce his time by 60 minutes.

He said: “It was a great experience and we are hoping to do it again quicker next year.”

Gordon whose sister Julie completed a run to raise money for the unit decided to do the Maracycle when his brother-in-law mentioned it.

“We weren’t doing it to compete for the best time but to enjoy it and raise money for charity,” Gordon explained.

“I’d like to to thank not only my family and friends for their support but also my sponsors,” he said.

“My work sponsored my cycle jersey and we held a charity barbecue for family and friends and this helped us raise money too.

“I’d like to thank my partner Nicola as she was a great help in organising it.”

Gordon’s father Victor, 61, said he was very proud of son.

“I was on dialysis before my transplant and my family know how much I and others have benefitted from the care at the renal unit,” he said.