Portmarnock family gives it SOCKS for cycle

LOCALS will get on their bikes next week for a charity event being held in memory of a Northside woman who lost her life to ovarian cancer in 2011.

The third annual

‘Frances Tobin Monaghan to Dublin Give it SOCKs Cycle’, will take place on Saturday, September 13.

Leading up to the first anniversary, Frances’ family decided to organise a relay cycle from her birthplace, Three-Mile-House, Monaghan, to Portmarnock a journey of 140km (84 miles).

A number of friends heard about the idea and decided to take part. For the first year, they got 15 riders and decided to use the event to raise funds for charity.

The family chose the organisation SOCK (Supporting Ovarian Cancer Knowledge & Research) as their chosen charity.

On the morning of the Fun Ride, cyclists will be bussed and bikes trucked from Naomh Mearnog’s clubhouse on the morning of the Fun Ride.

The cycle is broken into three stages:

Stage 1: starting at Sean McDermott’s GAA Clubhouse in Three-Mile-House to St Mary’s GAA Club in Ardee with both clubs providing tea/coffee, sandwiches and cakes for the cyclist and support people.

Stage 2: Ardee to Balrothery.

Stage 3: Balrothery to Naomh Mearnog GAA Club Portmarnock.

The cycle will be supported by a lead car, break down van, first aid, motor cycle outriders and traffic stewards at various junctions along the route.

There is no entry fee levied with all cyclists, particularly those completing the full course, requested to raise sponsorship funds.

On the night a gala event will be held in the clubhouse at Naomh Mearnog GAA Club comprising BBQ, auction, raffle, music and a few sociable drinks.

Proceedings will be expertly MC’d by Aongus Mhor McAnally. There is no cover charge and everybody is welcome to attend the event.

Amongst the items for auction will be a Dublin jersey signed by the current All Ireland Senior Football Champions.

All funds raised through the cyclists’ sponsorship, donations and at the Gala night will go directly to SOCK Ireland.

Excluding funds received from generous sponsors to cover staging costs, a total of e50,000 has been raised from the event in the past two years.

The Tobin family greatly appreciates the support of all involved, the generous cyclists, sponsors, benefactors, different support groups and the various clubs.

If you would like to take part in the cycle, phone 086-0227337 or visit www.giveitsockscycle.com