Eugene completes buggy push for charity

A NORTHSIDE man has successfully completed a buggy push across Ireland to raise money for an orphanage in Belarus.

Eugene O’Leary (72) began walking with a child’s buggy at Slyne Head, Galway, on April 3, and after spending 207 gruelling miles on the road, arrived at Howth Head on Saturday, April 11.

Avid cyclist Eugene, affectionately known as the

‘Pedalling Pensioner’, is no stranger to fundraising adventures.

Following the death of his daughter Helen in 2002, aged just 19, he took up long distance sponsored cycles in her memory, at home and abroad. However, this was the first fundraiser where he left his bike at home.

“Last year I visited Belarus with the Chernobyl Children’s Trust to do a fundraising cycle from Gomel to Minsk,

? Eugene told Northside People.

“I saw first-hand the work on the ground being done by the Trust, which is an organisation of volunteers and all funds raised go directly towards helping children living in very difficult situations.

“The group were re-roofing one of the main buildings in Chervyen orphanage. The roof had burned down in a fire caused by faulty electrical wiring.

“Now the orphanage building urgently needs new showers so I decided to do the buggy push this year for that purpose.

?

As a result of his fundraising exploits over the last decade, Eugene has received support from local resident Aidan Cooney, from TV3’s Ireland AM programme.

“Aidan Cooney took me to town, where he got me a really fantastic pair of Gortex waterproof hiking boots for my Buggy Push Across Ireland, sponsored by TV3,

? said Eugene.

“He also came out to meet me in Baldoyle when I was so close to home on the Saturday.

?

The longest distance Eugene walked in one day was 37 miles on Day 2, which helped him to complete the overall journey – through Counties Galway, Offaly Westmeath, Meath, Kildare and Dublin – quicker than he intended.

For four nights Eugene camped in a Bivvy tent, which was sponsored by Baldoyle Auto Centre who also provided a gas burning camping stove.

He also stayed in hostels, a B&B in Athlone (complimentary), and one night he was treated to a complimentary stay at the Lough Rea Hotel in Galway.

“Neil McGee, a volunteer with Galway Fire Brigade who was born in Howth, set it up for me,

? he said.

Eugene said he received a huge amount of goodwill on his journey when people heard that it was a fundraiser.

“The reaction was brilliant,

? he said.

“Women were offering me food along the way and overall it cost me very little which meant more could go to the charity.

?

When the journey was completed, Eugene said he received a call from the Chernobyl Children’s Trust to say that

?¬3,000 has been raised so far from online donations.

He is now aiming to get that figure up to

?¬5,000, and a social event is being held at the Abbey Tavern in Howth on Thursday, April 30, in a bid to reach that target.

Eugene would like to thank all those who have supported his fundraising efforts to date.

When the new showers are built in the Chervyn orphanage, a memorial plaque, dedicated to Helen O’Leary, will be placed on the wall.

?¢If you would like to donate to Eugene’s Buggy Push Across Ireland, visit www.mycharity.ie/event/eugene_olearys_buggy_push/ You can also visit www.facebook.com/Eugeneolearybuggypush