Nine Year Old Girl's 100 Mile Cycle for Cystic Fibrosis

15 October 2009

Nine year old, Sinead Fox cycled over 100 miles from Newry to Donegal and raised €1,500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland (CFAI). School girl Sinead, from Thistlecross, Dundalk, Co. Louth took just two days to cycle 101.5 miles from Newry to Donegal.

Sinead, along with her mother and father, Roisin and Thomas Fox, will make the cheque presentation to the CFAI at 2.15pm on Friday 16th October in CF House 24 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6.

The fourth class pupil from St Joseph's N.S. set out on the journey on Friday 18th September and arrived at her destination the following day. Sinead was accompanied on the cycle by her father, Thomas and her cousin, Seamus McMullen from Dundalk.

"They covered 54 miles on the first day and did the rest on the second day. There wasn't a bother on her. She really enjoyed it." said Sinead's mother, Roisin. She added "She's been cycling since she was four years old and loves her bike. She is very energetic and was thrilled to be able to go on the trip."

Sinead did some training in the run up to the charity cycle and cycled from Dundalk to Newry and around Omeath, and careful safety precautions were undertaken. Thomas and Seamus have been doing charity cycles in aid of CFAI for the past two years, after a child in Ravensdale, Couty Louth was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.

Philip Watt, CEO of CFAI said: "It is a fantastic achievement for anyone to raise €1500 for Cystic Fibrosis, but even more so when the fundraiser is only nine years old and cycles over 100 miles. It is really heartening to see how someone so young can demonstrate such concern for other young people who have more challenging lives."

Martin Cahill, Fundraising Manager of CFAI added: "The funds raised by Sinead will go towards improving services for people with CF in the Dundalk/Drogheda area where there has been a deficit in services for CF patients for many years. Anyone who would like to make a further donation to Sinead's fundraising should send their donations directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland. Visit www.cfireland.ie for more information on how to donate."