Thanks for visiting my team fundraising page.
This is my attempt to raise money for some very worthwhile charities. I intend to cycle from my parents old house in Walton-Le-Dale, Preston to the place where they were born in Ireland via the Stranrear (Cairnryan) ferry in Scotland
What is the story behind this mad idea?
The main idea is to raise money in memory of our mum and dad, May and Joe O'Hagan.
On the 21st May 2015 it would have been my late Father's, Joe O'Hagan, 80th Birthday and I had hoped to jointly celebrate my 50th birthday with him, that is until his sudden passing on January 29th 2014.
Therefore, I thought if I can't celebrate his 80th birthday with him I would take a long, long, long overdue trip back to his home town of Maghera, County Derry and visit family for a few days as well as one of Dad's favourite spots, the bar in Walsh's Hotel (http://www.walshshotel.com) and have a few parting glasses in his, our late mother's and other sadly missed family members honour. We will be there from the 28th to the 30th May 2015. If anyone wants to join us there you can book a room by ringing Walsh's Hotel direct.
I decided that to just turn up would to Maghera would not be enough, so I thought of cycling it there via the Ferry. A journey of more than 250 miles with a quick stop off in our mother's home town of Kilrea to raise a glass to May and all the Darragh family.
I hope to set off on my 50th birthday 26th May 2015 and land in Maghera late on the 28th May.
Added to all this I have decided to do the trip to Maghera on an old mountain bike that my Dad bought some years ago at a charity auction after a few drinks. He paid a lot of money for the bike thinking it would be ideal for my then young nephew Ryan. Ryan took one look at it and said he wasn't fit to ride. The bike has been stuck in a garage ever since. I decided to try and convert the bike to an adult sized road bike and use it for this charity ride. The reasoning behind this decision is to try and show that you don't have to have the best of everything in life, it's more about making the best of what you've got, which is the way our parents approached life and.... I like a challenge.
I have chosen 5 charities for this event.
Cancer research as cancer has not only claimed our mother, but also far too many other family members as well.
The Down's Syndrome Association as our way of showing support to our cousin Kevin for the inspiration he gives to us all.
Alder Hey in support of the great work the staff there give to children especially to little baby Amelia, the granddaughter of our good friends Paul and Caroline Fisher.
At the request of our Cousin Maura Hartnett to add a page for Parkinson's in loving memory of her Father and our Dad's brother Colm O'Hagan. Maura and her husband Tom are flying all the way from Canada to join us on the bike ride for the final leg in Ireland and we can't wait to see them.
We have also decided to include the Heartbeat appeal. Given the sad and sudden circumstances that led to the loss of our Dad and more recently the tragic loss of local young 15 year old girl Melissa Smith who suffered a sudden cardiac arrest whilst playing football. Heartbeat is now being supported by local football leagues as the try to help prevent further heart problems in what appear to be young fit and healthy kids and young adults. Given the life I have spent within local football I think it's only right that I try and give them my support.
So all I ask is that you choose your preferred charity and show your support for our efforts by donating to that charity.
I am looking for an overall combined target of £1,500. If I achieve over this figure I will also promise to attempt to cycle the return journey. Not only that I will attempt to make the journey from Stranraer to Preston in less than one 24 hour period. If I fail (as long as there is no natural disasters) I will match ever pound raised over the £1,500 mark.
Thanks for your support
Sean O'Hagan
