Drumahoe man's keen interest in epic cycle from Clydebank to Kerrykeel

The four riders Hugh Friel and his close friends Rui Rosa, Anthony Preston and Paul Stitt are due through the Londonderry village on Monday.

There to greet them will be members of a local family with a particular interest in the fundraiser.

Hugh, who has not been on a bike for 30 years, has arranged the sponsored challenge in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice, Clydebank.

Hugh takes up the story: “This is where my sister Maureen Deeney worked for a total of 10 years looking after terminally ill cancer patients, until May last year. This is where my sister’s story changed. She was diagnosed herself with cancer and after a short battle she also died in the hospice last June.

“The care that all the staff gave Maureen was unbelievable, seeing it first hand for myself I was amazed at what all these special people do, not only for the patients but for their families. We have a large family and most of my family come from Donegal Ireland and when they were over they were treated well it was second to none.

“I would like to especially mention my main sponsors Colin Brown Project Director of SDH Project Services, West Yorkshire who has been fantastic, sponsoring our back up vehicle, cost of travel and all out cycle tops.

“Colin, who himself is from Drumahoe, has gone beyond what was asked of him as this cause is dear to his heart as well. His parents and family still live in Drumahoe and will be out cheering us on Monday.”

Leaving Clydebank on April 1, the cyclists are heading to Cairnryan and stopping off in Belfast overnight, then it’s over the Glenshane Pass to Dungiven, leaving there on day three through Drumahoe and onto Kerrykeel via Letterkenny. A dance will be held in Mulroy Woods Milford on April 3 with proceeds to the Hospice in Donegal.

The link to Hugh’s fundraising page is: http://www.justgiving.com/HUGH-FRIEL