UPDATE - 30th August - WE DID IT!!
Summary of the day:
Punctures = 0 (though passed plenty on the way, the first after a quarter of a mile!)
Tired legs = 10 (over 200,000 turns of the pedals)
Torrential rain showers = 1 (just before the start!)
Time taken = 8 hours (including breaks)
Supporters en route = Lots! (including a welcoming party to Randalstown, family and friends and Paul's parents who cheered us along at several points including our 'sprint finish' for the line at the end)
Energy Gels consumed = 10 (magical properties in getting tired legs to the end)
Sunburnt cyclists = 5 (yes, the sun did come out in the end!)
A great day and fine achievement by a team, most of whom had never cycled that distance before (in fact, one of our number had been training in the gym and Sunday was his first day out on his borrowed bike!) We've uploaded some photos of the day, and yes, we can confirm that the Brompton did get round, even with it's wee wheels!
A big word of thanks to everyone who sponsored us, we have been overwhelmed by your generosity and it was a fitting tribute to Paul's memory. The total raised, which is nearly £7,500, now includes the donation match from BP.
UPDATE - 6th August: With just over three weeks to go, the Belfast Telegraph ran an article about our fund raising. Many thanks to those who read the paper and have made donations, we're really touched.
Belfast Telegraph - Lough cycle raises cancer centre cash in Paul’s memory
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to visit our fundraising page.
On Sunday 29th August, we will be taking part in the 140km Lap the Lough Cycle Challenge around Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland to raise funds for the ‘Friends of the Cancer Centre’ at Belfast City Hospital, in memory of our close friend Paul McDonnell who passed away in February 2009 at the Centre just a few weeks before his 29th birthday.
The Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital opened in 2006 and is the main focus of cancer treatment in . In a country where there are still many divisions, everyone comes together there for treatment, regardless of their background, for an illness that doesn’t discriminate.
Paul was diagnosed with cancer back in 2007 and he spent much time receiving treatment at the Cancer Centre. We know that he really appreciated the care, the respect and the support the staff gave him and his family during his time there.
The team who have signed up for the challenge are Paul's brother Dominic, along with Simon Murphy, Michael Magee, Alastair Barr and Peter Hurrell. We want to raise as much money as possible in Paul’s memory to donate to the Cancer Centre.
Over the past 20 years, ‘Friends of the Cancer Centre’ has spent in excess of £4 million in the support of medical research, the purchase of equipment and the enhancement of the environment in which the Cancer Centre patients receive their medical care. Your support will help ‘Friends’ play a major role in the treatment and after care of cancer patients by making a real and meaningful difference to them and their families. The areas that 'Friends' fund include:
- Research within the Cancer Centre so that patients can benefit from major advances in technology. This research has improved and advanced patient treatment and care a great deal.
- Medical equipment to provide cutting edge technology to help with diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- Patient comforts to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
All donations will go directly to the charity as we shall be paying for our own entry fees and expenses. The great news is courtesy of the BP Matched Giving Scheme whatever we raise will be doubled!! So dig deep!
There are still places available to join our team on the ride. Drop us a line if you want to join in and help our fund raising in Paul's memory.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: ‘Friends of the Cancer Centre’ gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
