CYCLING UP THE LEAGUE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND HOSPICE
Two football enthusiasts Sean Maguire and Pearse Flynn are ticking a challenge off their pre thirty bucket list and cycling 250 miles around the Danske Bank Premiership Clubs between 17th and 19th April in aid of the Northern Ireland Hospice ‘Buy a Brick’ appeal to rebuild Somerton House.
Sean and Pearse will be visiting the twelve teams over the three days and stopping off to meet a representative from each club, starting with Coleraine, Ballymena United, Dungannon Swifts and Ballinamallard United on day one (100 miles), Glenavon, Portadown and Warrenpoint on day two (90 miles) and Ards, Glentoran, Linfield, Cliftonville and Crusaders on day three (70 miles). Each club will provide a signed piece of memorabilia which will be auctioned off at a later date to increase the total raised.
Neither men have taken up a challenge like this before and are pushing themselves to the limits in aid of Northern Ireland Hospice.
Sean Maguire said of the challenge; “We have both been playing football for years and both enjoy cycling, so decided to join two things that we love into one challenge. We have been training hard since January and it’s been pretty tough so far. Northern Ireland’s unique weather conditions haven’t helped either. That said, since we started training, we have seen a real improvement in our performance and we are now pretty positive that we can complete the challenge and raise a good amount for such a great charity at a time when they need it most.”
Deirdre Melly, NI Hospice Community Fundraiser added; “A huge thank you to Sean and Pearse for their dedication and enthusiasm to raising vital funds for Northern Ireland Hospice. A huge thank you also to all the clubs who have supported Sean and Pearse in helping to raise the profile of NI Hospice.
The money raised will help to build a new Northern Ireland Hospice fit for the future which will care for patients with diseases beyond cancer including respiratory, dementia and neurological conditions. We still need to raise £2.65million from the public over the next two years to rebuild Somerton Hospice so this support is so important to us.”
If you would like to support Sean and Pearse with their challenge, you can make a donation online at http://www.justgiving.com/NI-Hospice-IrishLeague-Cycle. If you would like more information on Northern Ireland Hospice or would like to do your own fundraising, you can call 02890 781836 or email fundraising@nihospice.org.
Note: The guys plan to be at the Oval for 1.15pm and away for 1.45pm.