Members of the Elphin base Windmill Wheelers Cycling Club, with two guests from Mayo and Leitrim, raised €12,000 for local charity SOS Elphin by cycling from Elphin to Paris last week.
The men set out last Saturday morning, leaving Elphin Windmill at 8am and cycling 170km to Carlow. Sunday’s leg saw them cycle 90 Kilometers to the Ferry in Rosslare.
On Monday they cycled 150 kilometres from Cherbourg to Caen. Eireux was Tuesday’s destination – another 150 kilometre trip. The final leg of their journey, was a 70 Kilometer trip to Paris. One member of the group James Grealish began his journey in Castlebar. On Thursday they flew back to Dublin and on Friday, after a well deserved rest, they presented a cheque for €12,000 to SOS Elphin at a reception in The Central Bar. All participants covered the full cost of their own travel, accommodation and food (over €500 each) and every cent of sponsorship raised went directly to SOS Elphin.
Acknowledgements
The Cyclists wish to thank the following for their assistance with the event:
Tina Brennan for promoting the event; Elphin Fitted Furniture for the use of their Van; John Nolan for driving the Van; Damien at DS Signs for providing signs for the Van free of charge; PJ Kavanagh of Kavanagh’s Bar and Venue Portlaoise for providing a meal for the group on their way to Carlow and Adrian Rhattigan Bus Hire for collecting the group at from Dublin Airport on Thursday. Last and by no means least, they wish to thank everyone to donated to the cause.
The brave participants were
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, Adrian Kielty, Jim Keane, Noel Hanmore and Seamus Cox.
Support to Overcome Suicide (SOS) Elphin
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 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. More details are available from the Elphin Medical Centre.