Unique charity cycle was a huge success with further events planned
Presenting the proceeeds of last year's event were, from left: Willie Creighton, Chris Hingerton, John Jo McTigue, Mairtín Donnelly, Joe Langon, Caroline Mc Loughlan, Charlie Shaw, Denis O'Donnell, Brendan Calvey. Picture: Michael Maye
The crew behind a successful and unique charity cycle held last September will be back in the high saddle this April for another outing to raise funds for a worthy cause.
Ballina native Willie Creighton teamed up with Ballinrobe’s Martin Donnelly and a group of cyclists for a trek across the Great Western Greenway in aid of Croí and Parkinson’s Ireland Mayo Branch.
What was novel about the cycle is that it was carried out on high nelly bicycles.
Both Willie and Michael are avid collectors of the vintage style bicycles and share the enthusiasm that brought last September’s event to fruition.
“I always had a Raleigh bike,” said Willie. “I bought my first for £38 in Ballina. I also have a few that I restored and a few still in mint condition. I have 12 of them and Martin has 35.”
The event was a great success with €6,000 in total, €3,000 for each organisation, raised through the event. There was a fantastic turnout and show of support.
“We cycled from Newport to Achill and back on the Greenway with the Midfield Pipe Band leading us out of Newport,” he said.
“We had a great group with us, some of whom hadn’t cycled on a high-nelly for over 40 years and a lot of the names will be joining again for the next time.
He is hoping that this can now be an annual event and has earmarked April for the next cycle with date and time to be confirmed at a later stage.
“We are planning on doing another cycle in April for the new Sunflower's Children’s Hospice in Castlebar. We feel it’s a great idea and helps out a good cause as well."
It was not Willie’s first high-octane rodeo on a high-nelly. Back in 2021 when Mayo faced Tyrone in the All-Ireland Final, Willie and two friends cycled from Ballina to Croke Park to raise funds for the Sensory Park in Ballina and Cancer Action Mayo.
