Kells dads and granddads get set to head West for 18th charity cycle

A group of Kells fathers and grandfathers are preparing to cycle to Athlone and back in June to raise funds for various local causes. The group of 14 former footballers with Drumbaragh Emmets GFC will cycle to Athlone and Ballinasloe, starting their journey on Friday 30th June.

It will be the 18th annual Kells Dads' Cycle, an initiative started by former town councillor and footballer, Frankie Lynch, who came up with the idea in 2005 after spending many years involved with Drumbaragh Emmets GFC.

Frankie says after witnessing the generosity of the people of Kells during his time with Drumbaragh, he wanted to do something to give back to the community.

“I was involved with Drumbaragh and I used to have to go out with a lot of the other lads and sell tickets and go around the pubs and try and make a few pound. We always got a great reception around Kells and surrounding areas so when I was finished playing football I decided to put something back into the community.

He adds: “I got I got a few lads that were involved with Drumbaragh and there was 12 of us the first day and we said we’d do a one off cycle down to Westport and we raised €15,000 the first year, we couldn’t believe it. We divided that between three or four charities and we said we’d give it another go next year."

Since then, the group has raised over €280,000 and travelled all over the country.

This year's cycle will see them set off for Athlone on 30th June and continuing along the Greenway to Ballinasloe and back to Athlone, where they will stay the night.

"We'll do a short 30km spin on the Saturday and then cycle back to Kells on Sunday," Frankie explains.

The group raises fund throughout the year and has just held a car-wash fundraiser at Drumbaragh Stores. They will hold a bucket collection at the Supervalu, Aldi, Centra and other shops around Kells on 13th May and will have a Church Gate collection on 3rd and 4th June.

The original group of cyclists have now been joined by younger men and some of the originals are now grandfathers, but they are still determined to keep up the fundraising.

The group has travelled all over the country in their efforts, even stopping off to climb one of the country’s highest mountains along the way.

“When we went to Westport we climbed Croagh Patrick and we have done that four times now," says Frankie.

He thanked their main sponsors, Kells Windows, who have backed them since the very start.

All the funds raised stay in the local community. Organisations that have benefitted include the Kells Branches of Children of Chernobyl, Special Hands, Meath Hospice, Knights of Columbanus, Lively Citizens Tea Party, as well as the Senior Citizens Christmas Party, a Day excursion to Bray for Special Needs and Meals On Wheels.

"We also donate to all local charities in the surrounding Kells area to assist with their fundraising."