Jimmy’s winning all the way with amazing 60th birthday charity cycle and climb
SO, 60 really is the new 40 – or maybe even less if you happen to be a man named Jimmy Currid from Maugherow who put so many of us to shame when he marked his 60th birthday last weekend with an extraordinary charity effort.
To raise funds for two organisations close to his heart, Sligo Cancer Support Centre and North Sligo AC, Jimmy and a band of like-minded amigos set off at an unearthly hour last Saturday from Mullen’s Spar and Filling Station on the Bundoran Road bound for Croagh Patrick. Of course, just cycling there – a mere 115km trip – would never be enough, Jimmy also climbed the reek and made it back in time for his 60th birthday bash in Rathcormac and a charity auction which made additional funds for his chosen organisations. On Monday a special GoFundMe page set up for the cycle had 457 donations and a magnificent running total of €25,415 which will increase as the page remains open.
Just key in ‘Jimmy’s Cycle and Climb’ and you will find the page immediately if you want to make your own contribution.
Those who know Jimmy will be well aware that raising funds for good causes is nothing new and it came as little surprise to his inner circle when he revealed his birthday charity spin.
As his 60th birthday approached he explained how he wished to raise funds for Sligo Cancer
Support Centre that have supported his close friend chef Joe Shannon through his treatment, and the North Sligo AC, who he has been a member of for 10 years and are in need of a new running track and facilities.
“Last Christmas I was at dinner with a couple of friends around the table.
“I said I’d love to cycle to Croagh Patrick, do the climb and come back in one day.
“I was talking with Joe Shannon who has been getting cancer treatment and all together we said let’s do it for cancer services and the running club,” he explained before Saturday’s cycle and climb. He was joined by 10 friends on the cycle and more joined them for the climb.
They were driven back to Sligo and cycled the final leg of a busy day back to Davis’ Restaurant and Yeats Tavern in Drumcliffe for a raffle and birthday bash. Explaining why he picked the two charities, Jimmy said: “Nearly everyone is affected by cancer in some way and the local Sligo Cancer Support Centre offers excellent free services to anyone with cancer.
They provide one to one support, counselling psychology and psychotherapy, healing therapies and support workshops in a caring and confidential environment. “North Sligo AC is also close to my heart as I have been a member there for over 10 years, and I would love to help them to develop a new running track and facilities for the next generation.
“The club has some of the best coaches in the country, an Olympian runner, Christopher O’Donnell, and several national and European winners and record holders, including Mary Cullen. “It provides not only for adults but also developing local children in all track and field events.”