Friends of Portglenone, Casements GAC and Geraldine’s CC, presented £12,500 worth of cheques to five charities this Sunday evening, 10th November, at a wrap up event in their Social Club on Main Street to finish off the PG100 Cycling Event held in September.
Roger Casements club chairman, Noel Kelly, thanked all those involved in the organisation and delivery of a fantastic fundraising effort, and to all the participants of the PG100 cycling event.
The Community Rescue Service Team, represented by Sharon Gibson, was presented a cheque by Liam Martin from Premier Electrics, one of the main corporate sponsors of the event. Sharon described how searches for missing people can come at any time and sometimes go on for extended periods. The support provided greatly helps the organisation which is wholly voluntary. The local community, on the banks of the River Bann, has benefitted on many occasions from timely interventions from this charity, the most recent being within one week of the PG100 event.
Macmillan Cancer Support, represented by Catherine King, was presented with a cheque by Oisin Doherty from C. Doherty & Co Accountants, one of the main corporate sponsors. Catherine explained that she had recently moved into fundraising after many years of offering direct support to those undergoing the final stages of Cancer care. This is something that touches all communities and Portglenone is no exception. Again, Friends of Portglenone were delighted to help with this very worthwhile charity.
Motor Neurone Disease Association, represented by Stephen Thompson was presented with a cheque by Roger Casements Committee Member, Paddy Carey. Stephen described how difficult life is for the families of people suffering from this dreadful disease. Household bills mount up while the main earner in the household often can’t work. At any one time around 120 people are suffering from the disease, which at this point has no known cure. Research into it is ongoing, and Stephen described ongoing efforts to beat it. The local community has been devastated by the news that the family of an active club member is currently navigating their way through with this terrible disease and are grateful for the support provided by MNDA.
The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT), represented by Kevin’s father, Colin Bell, was presented with a cheque by Fergal, Sharon and Caoimhe Marron. Colin explained that since the trust was formed following the death in New York of his son, Kevin, they help other bereaved families in this predicament. Colin was able to say that they had just recently surpassed the astounding milestone of repatriating 2000 times. Donations allow this specialist charity to deliver the support, and again the local area have been grateful for this assistance in the unfortunate untimely incident which affected the Marron family with the loss of Conor.
Air Ambulance NI, represented by Katrina Hughes, was presented with a cheque by Donna Leacock from Fullan’s Food halls’, one of the main corporate sponsors. Katrina explained to the assembled audience how the service runs on donations from the public, responding to incidents right across Northern Ireland. The local community of Portglenone have benefitted from this service and the club was very proud to be able to offer this support.
The cheque presentations marked the culmination of a summer long event in Portglenone. A cross-community effort, this saw new and seasoned cyclists take off in groups of six to twelve throughout the weeks of July and August. Through blood sweat and tears, the novices gradually increased their stamina levels and shared their struggles with friends. Many new friendships were established along roads in the early mornings and late evenings. Guidance was provided by seasoned cyclists from the Bann Valley road club. Eventually the cyclists took on the challenge for the big day. A warm sunny morning in September saw one hundred cyclists take off, and all made it home to a rousing welcome!!
Each cyclist wore a specially commissioned jersey covered in the logos of the corporate sponsors. The corporate logos were on display at the wrap up event and the cyclists also raised personal sponsorship through friends and acquaintances.
The wellbeing and good will felt through the whole event has been immeasurable. A ‘Santa cycle’ is planned for December in aid of the local branch of St Vincent de Paul.
This has been a massive success, and the support for the charities has been greatly received. Remaining funds have gone to the Friends of Portglenone charity, to be put to good use in the development of facilities at the local grounds.