2004 John Lindsay memorial Torr Head Challenge raises £5,300

Davy Ross presents Eric Low with cheque.

Pictured at the Bone Marrow Trust conference in the Europa Hotel, Belfast is Team Madigan Cycling Club's Race Secretary Davy Ross. Davy presents the Myeloma Foundation's Executive Director Eric Low with a £5,300 cheque, proceeds from the 2004 John Lindsay memorial Torr Head Cycle Challenge.

The 2004 John Lindsay memorial Torr Head Cycle Challenge has raised £5,300 for the Myeloma Foundation. At a recent Bone Marrow Trust conference in Belfast's Europa Hotel, Davy Ross of the promoting cycling club Team Madigan presented Myeloma Foundation Executive Director Eric Low with the £5,300 cheque on behalf of all the fund raisers who took part in the tough annual cycle challenge. Eric Low praised the efforts of all those who kindly made donations and who took part in the event. This is a very generous donation and it will contribute greatly to supporting the vital research work we are involved in, said Mr Low.

It was last September (Sunday 26th 2004) that 140 riders set off from Ballygalley on the Antrim Coast to take on the challenge of Torr Head for charity. The late John Lindsay's Cycling Club - Team Madigan along with John's family and girlfriend Helen Bryans agreed to raise funds for the Myeloma Foundation in 2004. This is a charity helping to deal with cancerous blood plasma cells found in bone marrow, and a cancer that sadly took John's life in early 2003. Indeed it was September 2003 that the first John Lindsay, memorial Torr Head Challenge took place, then the event raised some £8,000 which purchased Lap Top Computers and Easy chairs for Haematology Unit Ward 10 of the Belfast City Hospital.

Again in 2004 Riders from all over Northern Ireland kindly supported the event, some having travelled from as far away as Derry. Setting out in three groups — 70-miles, 50-miles, and 20-miles they faced the blustery winds along the beautiful Antrim Coast route. First to reach their turn point at Carnlough were the 20-milers. At this distance some young children rode their hearts out along with adults, some of these people would only ride their bikes occasionally. This group were amongst the highest fund raisers!

It was the small harbour village of Cushendun that welcomed the 50 and 70 milers for a tea stop where final decisions would be made, do I turn here for 50-miles or do I go on and tackle the tough narrow and hilly roads around Torr Head totalling 70-miles. In the end it was a fifty, fifty split. Around fifty riders took part in each distance. Having cracked the Torr Head roads and merging back onto the A2 at Ballyvoy near Ballycastle the 70 mile riders faced the long 5-mile climb up through Ballypatrick Forest as they headed for the finish back at Ballygalley. Strong winds at the top of the climb crossing the moors battered the seasoned riders before they descended the mountain via the Glendun Viaduct into Cushendall. It was indeed a hard day in the saddle. Even along the Coast Road as it saw toothed in and out, the gusts of wind made cycling very difficult. The first of the 70-milers arrived back at the Ballygalley finish four and a half hours later and were welcomed home with a warm cup of tea and something to eat. A well deserved certificate was given to each finisher by event organisers Rosemary and Alan Welsh. A great day out was had by all!