Paul cycles 500 kms from London to Paris for Bloodwise charity

Paul cycles 500 kms from London to Paris for Bloodwise charity

21 December 2016

A BALLYGOWAN man has raised over £8,000 for a blood cancer charity in a 500-kilometre bike ride from London to Paris.

Paul McLaughlin took on the mammoth four-day cycle in aid of Bloodwise after his sister Joanne was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in November 2015. After treatment Joanne went through a stem cell transplant in June of this year and continues to battle to full health.

Bloodwise supports those affected by blood cancer and funds research aimed at beating the disease.

Paul’s route tackled the southern English roads through the Surrey hills towards the south coast to Dover on day one, before ascending from Calais and making his way through hilly northern France to cross the finish line under the l’Arc de Triomphe on day four.

With Paul’s previous cycling experience being the odd mountain biking session in Castlewellan Country Park a big leap in training was required.

“Day two and three had proved the most difficult with a combination of some intense and changeable periods of rain and a mountain section through the Somme battlefield countryside in northern France,” he said. “Day four was the morning all the legs were feeling it, but it was a case of digging deep and hitting Paris.

“I crossed the line 18th out of 162 cyclists in all timed sections which was great, having bought my first road bike in March and a goal of top 40 initially. Between the people I met and the stories that were told it was a truly unbelievable experience personally for me and my fellow riders who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the charity.”

Paul has extended thanks to all those who donated on his Just Giving Page and who attended, donated and helped organise a fundraising Night at the Races held at St Mochais Darragh Cross GAC in July, including Peter Magill and Kevin Murray and families.

“My family and friends have been a massive help throughout and nothing could have been achieved without them,” he said.

“With this final cheque received from Darragh Cross GAC I now have a final figure of £8,100 raised for this great charity this year,” he added. “Thanks to the help of all the great people who made it possible in helping to beat blood cancer.”