This article is from page 33 of the 2007-07-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
A 300 kilometre bike ride to raise money for Belarussian children started at the weekend — with a game of golf.
Anthony Foley and Ger O’ Loughlin were among the players on 36 teams of three who took a swing at help- ing to raise money for the East Clare Chernobyl! Project in the golf classic at Clonlara Golf and Leisure on Sat- WaKOE: WA
The day was organised by Johnny Murphy and his five Clonlara com- panions who will be cycling from Minsk to Malech, starting on Sep- tember 21.
Johnny and fellow Clonlara cy- clists, Daithi O’Shanahan and Denis McKeown did the cycle last year and raised €18,000 for the cause.
This year, they are being joined by two more Clonlara residents, Trish O’Shea and Eoin Begley, with 23 cy- clists from Clare and Limerick join- ing in the ride.
“I think I can retire from it after this year — the whole thing is getting so big they won’t need me,’ joked Johnny.
Much of the money is spent on im- proving life in orphanages in Bela- rus, where children live in appalling conditions.
The project spent more than 60,000
there last year, with some of the fund- raising being used to bring young- sters to Clare for a little r ‘n r from the radiation which they live with on POE DEWAN Oye FSS ESe
The golf classic, barbecue and night of music and fun served to raise money to get the cyclists out there as well as kick-starting their fund.
On a serious note, Even if he takes a break from organising, Johnny says he will still be involved in the ride. “When you see the terrible condi- tions the little children have to cope with, you couldn’t but go back.”
The gruelling ride will take two and a half days and the riders will stay in the orphanages and meet the
children along the way.
Johnny is training by cycling to and from Shannon while other members of the team have taken on challenges such as the Limerick to Kilkee and Ring of Kerry rides.
“We’ll have great craic and most importantly we’ll make some money for the projects. We’re delighted that sO many people have decided to get involved this year and we’re hoping there will be even more next year,” said Johnny.