<Report from Dany Blondeel, pictures from David McVeigh. >
Just amazing!
You have to respect N-Ireland cyclists..when it comes to charity they come in their droves..We needed 4 ferry crossings in Strangford to shift the lot..A record broken in the history from Ards CC (1944 when it al started ) 281 entries ,with 271 taken the road around the Ards Peninsula and to be greeted by dry weather, and a light breeze..At the pit stop at Downpatrick been welcomed by our fantastic tea ladies and roadies, with food for the hungry ..before catching the Portaferry Ferry …an tailwind then all the way home to Newtownards Town as send from heaven ..all riders finished in good time for a feed ,left over of the food and drinks ..as we expected 180 riders and the catering had to deal with 100 extra hungry cyclists..a few runs to the shop was needed..but everyone fed ..and due to generous sponsorship of Official Jarrah of Ards Coffee shop ,all running costs been met !! This resulted in a whopping £2680 for the charities Meningitis Research and Diabetes UK ! As a Belgian I am proud of my adopted country..the generosity of his people is second to none!! Thanks to all who helped to get this on the road ,and the mass of cyclists ..one word can describe this…….CHAPEAU
The mother and grandmother of wee Jaxon Roy Kelly (local child)who passed away after a battle with Meningitis, Melissa representing the Diabetes Uk and the Meningitis fundraisers and ToS organiser Dany
Thanks to David McVeigh for driving me about today ..my first outing in months not to a hospital ..great medicine the fresh air ..his pictures will be linked soon to this story ,and I can promise there is some crackers..please tag yourself in the ones I took today ..
Ards CC proudly lead the run out of Newtownards