Tribute to Triona

THE Northside teenager whose dying wish inspired superstar Ed Sheeran to sing a song for her before she passed away will be remembered next week during an emotional charity cycle.

Brave 15-year-old Triona Priestley lost her battle with cystic fibrosis last year just minutes after taking a call from Sheeran who sang her favourite song –

‘Little Bird’ – especially for her.

Tri’s school pals had pleaded with the singer on Twitter in a campaign using the hashtag #SongForTri to sing for the brave teen, and he answered their heartfelt request just in time.

And next week on May 20 a group of colleagues and friends of Tri’s mum, Bernie, and her family, will embark on a gruelling four day cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head to honour the brave youngster and raise funds for Temple Street and the Cystic Fibrosis Dublin West Branch.

One of the cycle organisers, Michael Crowley, explained why the event was taking place.

“Many of us have known Bernie Priestley for years and when Triona passed away last year we basically felt really helpless,

? he said.

“Although this cycle is significant in terms of a challenge it is really just a small gesture from our group of friends and colleagues to recognise what Triona and her family went through and what many others experience everyday in their battle with Cystic Fibrosis.

“Our efforts will hopefully continue to raise awareness of CF and the urgency for all of us to sign up as organ donors.

“This has always been my intention but I never did anything about it until now, and it’s so simple to freetext DONOR to 50050 or collect a donor card at your local pharmacy.

?

Triona, from Clonsilla, was a student at Castleknock Community College and her pals have received widespread praise for helping make her dying wish come true.

Last month, in a touching tribute, her family posted a video on YouTube, featuring Triona in a montage of self-recorded clips taken from her phone, tablet and laptop.

Next week’s

‘Cycle for Triona’ follows on the trend of previous events like

‘Song for Tri’ and

‘Run for Tri’.

The cycle of over 600km will move down mostly along the West over four days and arrive into Glengarriff on Saturday evening, May 23. The organisers are planning on a group finish for the Sunday morning over the last leg of just 60km, finishing on Mizen Head at lunchtime.

Anybody who’d like to support the charity cycle can donate online by visiting facebook.com/cyclefortriona.