Father and son get on their bike in charity effort for East Africa

Luke aged 7 was first up with a 4 mile cycle ride around Newtownabbey on Saturday 3rd and then Stephen completed the Stenaline Triathlon on Sunday 4th September in The Valley Leisure Centre.

After watching the harrowing scenes from East Africa on television the Hollybrook Crescent pair decided that they wanted to try and raise some money from friends and family that would go towards the charity.

The 7 year old was keen to help his dad from day one: “I was watching the poor children on TV and knew that my dad was keen to do the Triathlon so I asked could I maybe do something too. We went on some practice runs and then after I got my Trocaire t-shirt, we did it for real”.

Stephen, who now lives in Glengormley, completed the Triathlon which consisted of a 750m swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run in approx 1hr 40 min and hopes to keep up the fundraising even now that the events are finished.

“This was only a small bit of effort that we had to put in, compared to what the people of East Africa have to go through on a daily basis.

“I think Luke enjoyed the whole process of seeing how the money he raised can go directly to the people who are starving. We received alot of help from the Trocaire office in Belfast and hope to hand our cheque over very soon.

“As it stand we have raised over £300.00 and any more donations would be greatly welcomed”.

Anyone who is keen to donate can do so by clicking on the link below or by contacting Stephen direct on [email protected]