Some members of Nobber Dee Railers Cycling Club with fun cycle organisers Martin Tiernan and Poraic Hand.From left to right; Derek Primrose, Dylan McCormack, Martin Tiernan, Poraic Hand, Dermot McCormack, Edel McConnell, and Kevin Weldon.

Gary kelly centre cycle in nobber on sunday

By Denis Finegan

A fun cycle in aid of The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre will take place on Sunday 16th August, starting from Nobber at 11am.

Organisers are Martin Tiernan and Poraic Hand. There are two cycle routes on the day. The first is a 70 km round trip. It will be starting at Nobber at 11am and going to Kilberry. It will turn left for Slane, and onto Drogheda to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre for refreshments. On the return route it will go through Collon, Lobinstown and back to Nobber.

The second is a short route. It will depart Nobber village at 11am and go to Cassidy’s Garage on the N52 and turn for Woodtown and go to Drumconrath and then return to Nobber. It is approximately an 18km round trip.

Members of Nobber Dee Railers Cycling Club along with neighbouring cycling clubs, will be among the participants.

Ann Tracey, Director of Finance and Fundaising for the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre states that it “provides counselling, complementary therapies, education and support free of charge to people living with cancer, and their families, throughout North County Dublin and the North East region. Ann adds that “approximately 30% of those attending the Centre come from County Meath”.

'The Centre is not in receipt of ongoing Government funding and relies on the support and generosity of the public and business sector for funding. A bereavement grant of €3,200 from the family support agency Túsla, a HSE grant of €2,500 and a counselling grant of €23,500 from the Irish Cancer Society, are the only structured funding received in 2015”.

“In excess of 7,000 client visits to the Centre were recorded for 2014 with running costs of €300,000 for that year. The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre celebrated 10 years in service in 2014, and in response to the growing demand for the Centre’s support and therapies, the Board of Trustees approved the building of a new extension which has recently been completed. Funding for this project is not included in the €300,000 running costs”.

“The Centre could not continue with our work without the support of wonderful people like Martin and his supporters. Please be assured that all funds raised go directly towards the day to day running costs of the Centre. Thank you for any support”.

Registration will take place at Farrell’s Dee Local from 10am. To take part in the event on Sunday 16th August at 11am, contact organisers Martin Tiernan 086 304 1332 or Poraic Hand 087 265 4200.