Gregory’s special cycle
A Knockbride man will cycle 30km this Saturday on his 61st wedding anniversary to raise funds for a new minibus for the Holy Family School in Cootehill.
At the time of going to print, the fundraiser was nearly at €2,000.
Sixty one years married on July 27, Gregory O’Reilly wanted to do something to mark he and his wife Mary’s milestone.
The eighty-two year old spoke to the Celt before the cycle, explaining why he decided to take on the challenge.
“I like to do something for charity and this will be my last adventure,” he said, explaining that he has raised money for charities in the past.
All funds raised from the cycle will go to the Parents Association of The Holy Family School in Cootehill, where his grandson Shaun attends.
The Parents Association is currently raising much-needed funds to secure a new minibus. The minibus is vital to help the children get out in the community and have the experiences that they truly deserve.
“My grandson is down there in Cootehill and they do Trojan work with him, they do great work down there they really do.
“They really need a minibus, at least they’ll have it there at the school if they want to do something with it, they’ll have it.”
“It’d be great to see them getting some money.”
He will cycle on his 1960s' Raleigh Bike on The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway.
The 30km haven for pedestrians and cyclists follows the old railway line from Navan in Co Meath to Kingscourt in Co Cavan.
“I wouldn’t say I’m very fit,” he laughed, adding that he is “not one for sitting around the house".
“I have a lot to keep me going. I’m not one for sitting down and watching television,” he said.
Gregory shared his secret to a happy marriage.
“The secret is, I suppose, to get on with one another as best you can. We have small little things and we get over them ourselves,” he said.
For now, Gregory is not sure who will cycle alongside him but said he is willing to do it regardless.
“There are some people who have contacted me to say they’ll meet me in Navan,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter anyway, I’ll do it anyway if there’s nobody on it, I’ll do it myself,” he laughed.
Donations to Gregory’s fundraising cycle can be made here.