Coast to coast as O'Leary family fundraise for Marymount
fundraising
cycle in aid of Marymount Hospice has been organised in memory of former
Fermoy UDC chairman, Richie O’Leary, by his family. Mr O'Leary, who passed away in 2019, was heavily involved in politics in the town.
One of the organisers, his daughter Caitriona, spoke with TheAvondhu to tell how five members of Mr O’Leary’s family, including extended family, will be making their way from Galway to Bray, a distance of about 250 kilometres, on May 27th and 28th. Barry O'Leary, Ailish and John Coleman, Richard O'Leary, and Niall Murray are ready for the off, with most of the bikes in for a service already in preparation for the big day.
The family are undertaking this cycle, as their father spent his last few days in the Cork hospice and they wanted, not only to raise funds for the valuable service, but also in memory of their late father, who resided at Barry's Boreen, Duntaheen.
“We are really appreciative of the amazing support we got from Marymount and want to raise as much money as possible for them”, said Ms O’Leary.
While the cycle was originally planned for what became Covid-lockdown time, it is now scheduled for the last weekend in May. With Caitriona on the all-important sandwiches-and-water duty, her mother Patricia and her grandchildren will be providing support to the cyclists en route.
Mr O’Leary passed away in 2019, and The Avondhu’s report at the time noted that he was “a loyal, vocal and questioning member of Fianna Fáil, who "helped fill many column inches in The Avondhu over the years”.
“A plasterer by trade, Richie strongly advocated for his beloved town to the best of his ability, serving the people well. He was in the eye of many a storm in council chambers and within the party over the years and, once or twice, stormed out of UDC meetings in protest at some of the decision-making that he vehemently disagreed with! Always returning to fulfil the role in his own inimitable way!”
In 1996 he was unanimously elected the chairman of Fermoy UDC, and was a “wonderful ambassador for the town”.
The GoFundMe, titled ‘ Cycle Coast to Coast in aid or Marymount Hospice’, has already raised almost €5,000, and those interested can find the fundraiser at www.gofundme.com/f/cycle-coastto-coast-in-memory-ofour-dad