Cancer charities benefit from NYD dip and Pink Bike Ride

A staggering £2,1950.25 was raised by Cathy Knowles, Tracy Redmond and Tracy Gregg following their New Year’s Day dip at Cushendun beach in aid of Marie Curie and Friends of the Cancer Centre.

Team 338 is raising vital funds for various cancer charities in memory of Armoy teenager Callan McErlain. Callan was only 16 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone and soft tissue cancer, Ewing Sarcoma. This rare form of the disease is found most commonly in males between the ages of 15 to 20 years old. With only a handful of children in the UK developing Ewing’s sarcoma each year there is little known about this particular form and currently no cure. Sadly Callan passed away on June 17th last year, just seven weeks after being diagnosed, despite the strong fight he put up. Now Team 338 is picking up Callan’s fight in hope of one day of finding a cure.

Talking to Briege Hamilton from Cushendun, one half of Team 338, the other half being Callan’s sister Tamara, she said: “338 was Callan’s racing number and since he dedicated his life to it Tamara and I thought it was the best thing to call the fund raising campaign. Since last August we have raised in excess of £30,000 for local charities under Callan’s name - and money is still coming in.

On Sunday 13th april approx 1,000 people took to a very muddy course in Portadown to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. Among those were local's Christina O Connell, Rachel Erwin, Karen McHugh, Holly Brick, Michaela Dallat, Emmet Hunter, Noel Brick & Briege Hamilton.

“I am astounded by the amount raised by the girls during the NYD dip, especially as they only decided to do the event three days beforehand.

“It just goes to show the hugely supportive community we have here, something we couldn’t appreciate more and we just want to thank the girls for helping us in our fundraising journey.”

The next Team 338 event will be a Ladies Night in the Central Bar, Ballycastle on 5th June. Tickets are £10 and will be available from local shops very soon.

Meanwhile inspired by the Giro d’Italia and the recent success of the ‘no make up’ or ‘make up’ selfies, a group of cyclists from the Glens have combined both idea’s to raise even more money for Marie Curie Cancer Care...and created The Big Pink Bike Ride.

Staff at Ballymoney branch of Triangle Housing hand over cheque from recent coffee morning to Briege Hamilton of Team 338.

Leaving the Boat Club in Cushendall at 7pm on Friday, May 9, the cycle will be 17 miles cycling round to Carnlough and back, it is hoped that on the night everyone will be dressed in pink and with prizes for best dressed male and female, the more pink the better!

Briege explained: “There is no registration fee however donations on the night will be welcome. With the recent success of Ruairi og’s Biggest loser and the impending start of Glenariffe’s Biggest loser, this route is not only scenic but also the perfect introduction to cycling if you aren’t already a keen cyclist, so no excuses... get on your bike!

“All abilities will be catered for, all that is asked is that you enjoy the craic and make a donation to Marie Curie. If you would like more information contact me on 07515833001.”