Fundraising in memory of Vince

Fundraising in memory of Vince

15 October 2014

NINETEEN men who undertook a charity cycle to celebrate a friend whose life was cut short by cancer have presented £33,000 to charity.
Vincent O’Rourke died at the age of 35 in 2010, just months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Originally from Newcastle and a former pupil of St. Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick, he was an accomplished artist who put his creative talents to use as an architect when he moved to London after graduating from Queen’s University.
Despite the distance from home, Vincent maintained a close bond with his ‘Red High’ friends, who decided to return his loyalty this summer by cycling from Newcastle to Donegal.
Setting out in driving rain, the men travelled to Carrigart, where Vincent’s parents now live, via the north coast over three days.
On arrival, and following a pint of Guinness toasted to their missing friend, they attended a quiz and closing party hosted by Vincent’s parents, Vincent senior and Brigit.
The men, who had set an ambitious £20,000 target through their cycle, were overwhelmed when they clocked up £33,000 for the Donegal Hospice, where Vincent passed away, and Macmillan Cancer Care.
One of the cycle’s organisers, Marty Hamill, said they were touched by the level of support received during the cycle and in sponsorship.
“There was such goodwill, it was quite emotional and it shows how many people Vincent touched,” he said.
“Vincent was such a loyal friend and over the three days of the cycle, as we struggled up hills and went through driving rain, we told stories about him and what we all got up to over the years.
“He was a sincere, thoughtful guy and this was the little bit we could do for him.”