Swatragh granda on marathon trek
A 70 year old grandfather from Swatragh has cycled over 400 miles this week to help raise funds for charity.
By Orla McNicholl
John McKeefry, who has been living in Coleraine for over 30 years, started his cycle in the most southerly point of Ireland at Mizen Head, Cork on May 29 and finished up at Malin Head, Donegal yesterday afternoon.
All the money raised through John’s efforts will be donated to the Neurofibromatosis Association of Ireland.
John first took up cycling as a past time when he was presented with a mountain bike as a present from his three children for his 60th birthday.
He was encouraged to take part in the cycle to raise funds for NF Ireland as he has two grandchildren living with the condition.
The event, which involved five days cycling doing an average of over 80 miles per day required a great deal of stamina and determination, but the challenge of cycling the length of Ireland has brought John a new level of fitness.
John’s training for the cycle began in March and his furthest cycle prior to Thursday’s first leg of 100 miles was a 78 mile cycle in early May. John could be seen regularly cycling on the highways and byways of County Derry in training for the cycle.
The cyclists participating in the Mizen to Malin cycle are expected to pay all their own expenses and raise a minimum of £600 which will go towards funding the 2008 NF Europe conference.
To date John has raised over £1400 and expects to raise a little more upon his return from Malin Head.
