Stars come out to drive Red Cross with pedal power
EPIC FUNDRAISER AT MARKET SQUARE, MALLOW THIS SATURDAY IN AID OF MALLOW CHARLEVILLE RED CROSS
THE wheels will be spinning but the Limerick All Ireland winning goalie, Nickie Quaid won’t be going too far, as he is one of many participants who are taking part in a spinathon this Saturday which is all in aid of the Mallow Charleville Red Cross.
On Saturday, Nickie will be jumping on his bike which will be one of many all kindly given by Xtreme CSC Gym in Mallow who will also have their instructors at hand for all the star participants who will take part on the day. In addition to Nickie, there’s Tadgh Caroll, who ranks eight in handball ratings in the country, then there is the All Star winner Aidan Walsh of Kanturk who will also take a 30 minute slot.
Also into the bargain is Shane Simcox, who is no stranger to speed as he is the coach with Mallow AC. Body fitness athlete Karen Sheehan, who is also on the Irish RIBBF body building team and will represent Ireland in the European Championship next year, will also take a 30 minute slot.
The volunteers at Mallow Charleville Red Cross are also delighted that Heather O’Brien, who played international rugby for eight seasons along with two world cups, will also join in and take part in one of the 30 minute slots.
Fine Gael councillor John Paul O’Shea will also don a pair of shorts and take part as will Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy.
Other local participants who are hopping on the saddle to support the fund-raiser include Donough Barrrow, the creator of Mallow Tri Club, and Wayne O’Donnell, who took part in Operation Transformation.
Talented footballer, Matty Taylor will also take a 30 minute slot as will teacher and personal trainer Aisling Daly.
Mary Carey, has been a member of Mallow Charleville Red Cross since she was 10 years old. Her brother, Davie O’Sullivan, “roped” her in and she has been a volunteer ever since. With a smile, she said that was more than two decades ago now.
“The role of the local branch of the Red Cross is to help people and that is what we do. We are volunteers who don’t receive any Government funding. This is our big annual fund-raiser again this year and we really hope that the community turn out and support this spinathon,” said Mary.
There will also be a raffle of a Munster signed jersey, which was organised by Tommy O’Donnell’s aunt, Nora, who works at St Joseph’s Foundation. When asked how did the volunteers of the Red Cross manage to get so many people involved in the spinathon, she said there were plenty of phone calls made.
With a laugh, she said the idea of the spinathon came to her when she was, ironically, spinning herself. “I go spinning and I was thinking of how we could do our annual fund-raiser this year and I thought about the spinathon as I felt it would get a lot of people involved and it would also be great fun,” she said.
Anyone looking for a shot of inspiration will get it from the band ‘Almost Thin Lizzy’ who will rock those peddlers from 1-1.30pm this Saturday.
‘Almost Thin Lizzy’ consists of Mike Boyle, Jonathan Madden, Davy Brosnan, and Chuck Crowley, who are no strangers in helping and supporting so many local charities themselves.
She said the volunteers would love to see about €2,000 being raised as it would greatly help to maintain their vehicles and keep them on the road for their volunteer work.
Fitness instructors Darren, Adrian and Dan from Xtreme Gym in Mallow will be present on the day and any volunteer who is up for 30 minutes of an extreme work out will gladly get it from the talented bunch of trainers.
The spinning will kick off at 10am at Market Square in Mallow and will end at 4pm. It is hoped that between the star participants who have very kindly offered up their services that plenty more will also opt to hop on the saddle to raise funds.
“Anything we raise will be a bonus and what all the volunteers hope is that as many people as possible turn out on Saturday for the fund-raiser. There promises to be a great atmosphere and plenty of banter on the day,” she said.