Kevin heads for the sun to cycle for local charity

Kevin heads for the sun to cycle for local charity

10 April 2013

COUNTY Down is coming down with kind hearted cyclists ready to cycle hundreds of miles to raise money for the local charity, Mainstay DRP.

Dromara man Kevin Walker is the latest cyclist to step up to the challenge of a Majorcan Cycle this month, when he will take to the roads of the Spanish island and cover 400 miles in four days. Kevin will be one of 22 local people cycling in Majorca to raise money for Mainstay DRP’s Building a Dream campaign which aims to raise £3m to construct a new complex in Downpatrick for people with learning disabilities.

Kevin cycled quite a lot between the age of 13 and 17 years-of-age, before taking a 21 year break from two wheels. Then seven years ago he bought a new bike, which was to sit around largely unused until last September when he started to get back on the saddle.

“I saw the advert in the local papers in October about the Mainstay DRP challenge,” said Kevin. “I had a notion of starting up and this inspired me.

“I contacted Jim Mulholland who told me about the charity and the cycle, then I got on board as it is a worthwhile cause. “I joined the Dromara Cycle Club in December and I’ve been going out with them most weekends and I have been doing my winter training in Andy Ward’s gym in Ballynahinch. “I organised a charity gaelic match at Aughlisnafin, for the over 30s versus the under 30s in February which raised £353. I would like to thank the club for helping me to run it and Mulholland’s Bar in Castlewellan who provided food and refreshments for free.

“Then I held a pub quiz in the Millbrook Lodge which raised £627 and I would like to thank all local businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the ballot. I would like to thank my family who have helped so much in general at the fundraisers and my wife and mother who helped to collect prizes for the ballot.

“I would also like to thank all of the businesses who have sponsored me for the cycle, which is 100 miles a day for four days. I think it is going to be alternated days of terrain in Majorca. One day flat cycling and then one day in the mountains.

“It’s the kind of place that pro cycling teams go to practice for the terrain and good road surfaces. The locals are fine with cyclists as they are good for their economy.

“I am excited, but a bit nervous if I’m fit for it, but they have a better climate and road surfaces for it there.

“I had previously thought of doing one of their charity cycles, but the time was never right. But this was right this time,” he said.

The Building a Dream campaign will provide three distinct services at the new Mainstay DRP complex — residential, respite and day care.As part of the plan, two brand new residential houses will be created providing permanent living accommodation for five people per home.

Current day care services offered by Mainstay DRP to 65 clients will be moved to the organisation’s new facility resulting in the daily activities being hosted in more modern, holistic surroundings. Transferring the charity’s services to the new development will make available 4,380 bed nights annually.

In addition to these high quality services, a training and administrative centre will be created to provide educational opportunities in social care and administrative services to Mainstay DRP’s staff and other social care providers’ employees.You can make a donation to Kevin’s cycle challengle at http://www.justgiving.com/kevinwalkercyclechallenge