Billy raises nearly €30k raised for Cuan cancer support group

A 12-year-old boy from Cavan has nearly reached the €30k mark in fundraising for a local cancer charity.

Billy Lord from Crossdoney cycled 126km from the Beacon Hospital in Dublin to Cuan Cancer Centre in Cavan last Saturday morning alongside dad John.

The route symbolises the support shown to the Lord family since mum Stephaine’s breast cancer diagnosis in December 2023.

Billy, an avid cyclist since he he was nine, decided to cycle the distance to give back.

Speaking to the Celt after, Billy said the cycle was “good”.

Challenge

“Some bits were harder than others,” he says of the journey, which he began at 6am on Saturday morning.

“All together it was alright.”

On Monday evening Stephanie still couldn’t find the words to describe how proud she was of her son.

She has watched and rewatched the video of him cycling over the finish line several times since he arrived at the Cuan Centre around 1pm.

“I well up every single time I watch him, just I’m so proud of him,” says an emotional Stephanie.

Pride

“I was initially relieved that we got him down the road safe and that they had it finished,” she said, before revealing that she feels “so so proud” of her young son.

“He cycled the whole way, he never once complained,” she beamed, adding that she is “just honoured to be his mother.

“He’s such a fantastic kid to take on such a challenge.”

Stephanie recalls: “The crowd that was there to welcome him home - it just really and truly done my heart good.

“To hear them all cheering for him as he crossed the line, it was just magical.”

The money will be used by Cuan Cancer “to provide therapies” to other families, such as counselling, acupuncture, reflexology, and art therapies, among others.

“It’s going to be used in lots of different ways to benefit so many families like ours.”

Speaking on her own journey with invasive ductal carcinoma cancer, Stephanie said “I’m good” adding that she finished chemotherapy and will begin radiation therapy on September 9.

The mother of four said Billy along with his three brothers James (17), Daniel (15) and Charlie (9) have been a “fantastic help” since her diagnosis.

“No matter what I ask him to do, he does with with a heart and a half, he’s very good.

“All four of them, they’re all very good.”

Stephanie thanked everyone who supported the cycle and donated to the cause.

She also sent a special note of thanks to all the local cycling groups who met Billy at Lisgrey House to finish out his journey and to all those who stood out along the way to shout and wave their support.

If you would like to support the fundraiser, click here.