Micky is on the road from Land’s End to John O’Groats
THE SON OF a Sligo couple is doing a cycle of 1,347km for a great cause. Micky Kearns, son of Michael and Eileen, is cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats – the United Kingdom’s southern and northernmost points.
Micky, from London, is cycling for Dementia UK which provides specialist dementia support for families through admiral nurses.
Eileen was diagnosed with dementia four years ago.
“The cycle is all to do with my wife Eileen who is from Coolaney,” said his father Michael, who moved to London with his wife more than 60 years ago.
“She has been diagnosed with dementia. He decided a few weeks ago he wanted to do something.” Although Michael – a native of Kilmactranny with strong family ties to Geevagh – has not lived locally for a long time, he said that there has been great support for the cause from Sligo.
He said: “My own family, my wife’s family and neighbours from back home have gotten in touch to support it. We have also heard from a good few people in Coolaney and Geevagh. The support from home has been great.”
Although this is his biggest challenge to date, Micky is a keen cyclist who has previously hopped on his bike to raise money by cycling in England for the Heart Foundation and has also cycled with groups through South East Asia.
His son wanted to use his passion for a good cause as dementia is something everyone encounters at some point in their life.
Michael explained how this venture is particularly geared towards activities for people with dementia as the pandemic has had a severe impact on his wife.
“Dementia is something which is becoming more apparent to a lot of people. I know plenty of people who have supported the fundraiser who have family who have been affected by dementia as well. They might see this as a good opportunity to support a cause which raises awareness and funds for a charity which does a lot of good work.”
“Eileen was diagnosed a number of years ago. It was quite mild then, but when the lockdown came around with no Mass, no hairdressers and no friends able to call around, it got very serious.”
“You need activities and we have good facilities here for keep fit, music, quizzes, lunches. We tried to do Zoom but it doesn’t work, it needs to be personal. There was no outlet all of a sudden for a long time and it allows something like this to fester.” Micky Kearns’ charity cycle is to take upwards of three weeks. To date, £4,025 has been raised online. To make a donation to the fundraiser, you can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraiser/micky-kearns/.