This article is from page 33 of the 2007-09-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
WHEN four plucky cyclists said “the sky’s the limit” as they volunteered to be part of a 300k cycle for the East Clare Chernobyl cause, they really meant it.
In order to get to Belarus, brothers Eoghan, Feilim and Micheal Begley and pal Pat Gannon have to raise €2,600 each.
As a first step to doing that, the fearless foursome lined up for a par- achute jump which gave their funds a jump-start.
“It was an amazing experience,”
said Eoghan, who made a €1,200 dent in the amount he needed to raise.
The four made the jump with Sky- dive Ireland earlier this summer and they are now preparing for the off on the cycle from Minsk to Malech.
The route which up to 50 cyclists will take is more than 300k and the money raised will go towards build- ing projects at two schools in An- topol and Gantsvichy.
Last year’s cycle bought a new mini-bus and car for the orphanage and also went to buy new kitchen equipment and provide ventilation.
This year’s cycle aims to replace roofing which is in a very bad state of repair.
Previous year’s cycles built new toilets and provided showers for the bedroom blocks.
The funds raised have also gone to providing modern laundry facilities in Malech Sanatorium, where chil- dren whose immune systems have been damaged by radiation go for naerelbeetoelm
And with the money they were able to plant an orchard so that the sanato- rium can earn an income from press- ing apples and selling juice as well as
a fruit garden, which is a great boost to the nutrition of the sick children.
In Gantsvichy, previous cycles have provided money for kitchen equip- ment and refurbishment of the can- oer
The cycle committee has commit- ted to finishing the projects chosen in Antopol from funds raised this year and extra money raised will be used to further projects in Gantsvi- chy and other institutions.