A SWORDS man is gearing up for a mammoth charity cycling trip and is looking for the public’s support.
For the second year in a row, Paddy Jones is set to travel to Belarus for a week-long cycle in aid of the ‘Bike 2 Belarus’ organisation. Described as a ‘humanitarian adventure in post-Chernobyl Belarus’, last year’s trip helped raise € 10,000 for the UNDP Belarus Support Programme, which aids recovery efforts in the area. After such an incredible experience last time around, Paddy is raring to go and has organised a special golf event early next month. ‘I’m having a charity golf classic at Balheary Par 3 Golf Course,’ he said. ‘It’s planned for Saturday, June 6th, from 12.30pm to 7pm. ‘There will be prizes given at the end of the day for the top teams and also the ‘nearest the pin’ winner on a designated hole.’ Paddy was one of 33 cyclists who made the trip last summer, travelling to two different orphanages and carrying out building work, as well as bringing gifts to the children. And he’s already collecting for this year’s journey. ‘Like last year, I have to raise € 2,000 for the trip,’ he continued. ‘€600 is for flights and accommodation and € 1,400 is for the charity itself, for the provision of healthcare, food and basic needs, such as nappies for the children’s orphanages.
‘Any donations of unwanted baby and children’s clothes, as well as toys, would be greatly appreciated and will be brought over with us to the orphanages. All money raised will be exclusively for the charity.