18 members of the Elphin base Windmill Wheelers Cycling Club, are cycling to France to raise funds for local charity SOS Elphin.
Support to Overcome Suicide (SOS) Elphin is a voluntary group which was founded in 2005 following a number of tragic deaths in the community. It provides support for families bereaved through suicide and tragedy. It provides a one to one confidential counselling service for people suffering from stress, bereavement, depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. The counselling service liaises with the local Elphin Community College and has provided support/counselling on an individual or group basis to students at times of crisis.
Their funding comes entirely from local fundraising efforts of the committee through church gate collections, plays, concerts and donations gratefully received from other local groups. SOS Elphin does not receive regular state funding. They are heavily reliant on organisations and local groups such as “Windmill Wheelers” to provide them with the funding they need to sustain this important service and support within the community, and are always grateful for same.
The Route
This momentous task starts from Elphin Windmill tomorrow, Saturday August 27th at 8am, and finishes in Paris on August 31st. By the end of their journey they will have covered over 600 kilometres.
On Saturday their destination is Carlow, a journey of approximately 170 kilometres, with a rest stops scheduled for Athlone (Filling Station on the Old Dublin Road) and Portlaoise. They will stay in Carlow overnight and Sundays leg will see they Cycling 90 Kilometers to the Ferry in Rosslare.
On Monday they face the long journey of 150 kilometres from Cherbourg to Caen. On Tuesday they will travel the same distance from Caen to Eireux. After a well deserved rest they will cycle the final, 70 Kilometer, leg from Eireux to Paris.
All participants are covering the full cost of their own travel, accommodation and food (over €500 each), so every cent of sponsorship they receive will go directly to SOS Elphin.
Each participant has a sponsorship card and there will be cards in various businesses in the Elphin area. Any donation, no matter how small, would be gratefully appreciated.
Participants
John Murray, Gary Brennan, Cyril McKenna, Gerry Beirne, Padraig Hanly, Brian Farrell, Tommy Mccauley, Jack McCauley, Damien Devaney, Aaron Devaney, James Grealish, Martin Higgins, Aidan Muldowney, Gerry McLoughlin And Adrian Kielty, Jim Keane, Noel Hanmore and Seamus Cox.