Barmen stick together on Merseyside mission

TWO soccer-mad barmen who set off on a charity cycle to Everton FC in Goodison Park have been celebrating after completing their journey to the home of 'The Toffees'.

There was much activity outside Brady’s of Shankill on Friday, April 6 as the farewell committee waved off Chris Heywood and his good friend Ivan. 

The two took on the massive challenge when they cycled from Brady’s to Everton Goodison Park in Liverpool which resulted in the lads raising essential funds for two local charities, St Joseph's of Shankill and the Shankill Old Folks’ Association. 

When they eventually arrived at Goodison Park, Chris, a lifelong Everton fan, said: “It was really hard work today and took a lot longer than we had expected, due to a few unplanned detours, but to arrive safely feels amazing.”

He added: “We are both so grateful to everyone for all their support, generosity and messages of good wishes.”

Unfortunately, Chris’s beloved Everton only managed a draw with Liverpool the following day, but the real winners are the local charities.

Chris and Ivan were welcomed home to Brady’s where a crowd gathered to hear all the stories of their adventure and to commiserate with Chris about the drawn game.

The challenge had the full support of the John Brady Group, and a hive of fundraising activity included coffee mornings, craft sales and cake sales. Brady’s hosted a ‘Good’ Friday by organising Easter egg hunts for the kids, and an in-house cycle race and head shaves, which added to all the generous donations the two heroes received.

“Joe Hickey, our favourite local taxi driver, also donated all his takings on Good Friday to the fundraising, which was over €600 from his generous passengers,” a spokesperson for the fundraise committee added.

With one final event, a table quiz in Brady’s planned for April 19, the whole project hopes to raise at least €7,000 for the two charities.

“Thanks of course to Chris and Ivan for taking on such a challenge and a huge thanks to the hardworking committee of Anne Farrell, Patricia Hickey, Fionnuala Morgan, Emma O’Sullivan, John Brady, Doreen Brosnan, Diarmuid Mcaree and Paula Yeats,” the lads’ spokesperson added.

St Joseph’s Shankill at Crinken Lane is the only care home in Ireland solely dedicated to dementia care. Their vision is to lead the way in dementia care in Ireland, providing highest quality, person-centred care to residents

Shankill Old Folks Association provides a variety of services and activities including Day Care Centre, Meals on Wheels, Wednesday Tea Club, and is a focus for a range of volunteering opportunities.