Gay & Kaye Howard seek support for good cause that has touched their family

Stalwarts of the domestic scene, Gay and Kaye Howard have been organising bike races for decades, putting on a massive number of events down the years and supporting others to do the same; all in the service of bike riders.

But now, for once, they are looking for your support.

Based in Co Meath, the couple and their Stamullen M Donnelly Road Club are now organising a charity sportive to raise funds for the hospital that has helped their ill granddaughter Emma Byrne in recent years.

“Emma lives near us in Stamullen, she’s eight years old now but when she was only one she got a very serious illness and unfortunately she still has it,” said Gay.

“She has been very seriously ill in the years since then and she’s been in hospital for stays more than 80 times; a lot of the time there’s only eight to 10 days between being discharged and going back in again and mostly she is in the intensive care unit.”

Suffering from a chronic bronchial based condition, Emma is on a daily routine of inhalers, nebulisers and antibiotics. She also hooks up to a machine, known as ‘the vest’, twice daily for 20-minute sessions to aid her breathing and respiratory system generally.

This has greatly helped her condition but while it has reduced her hospital visits, it has not completely eliminated them.

Because she is being treated by Crumlin Children’s Hospital, the Howards and their club mates have decided to hold a charity sportive to raise funds for the hospital, to help improve the conditions for all of the patients and not just Emma.

Kay told stickybottle the family has been delighted with the care given by the hospital to Emma through her illness, and particularly paid credit to the staff who have looked after her.

“Every one of them – consultants, doctors, nurses – have been fantastic and we wanted to organise something with our own club Stamullen to basically show how thankful we are to them.”

The charity cycle is being held on Saturday July 20^th – this Saturday week – and leaves from Stamullen. The general area covered will be: Stamullen – Gormanstown – Julianstown – Duleek – Kilmoon – Garristown – Naul – Balscadden – Gormanstown – Stamullen.

However, while the main event is a 105km spin, there’s also a slightly lighter 55km route on offer and a 12km event for families. The 105km and 55km events start at 10am and the family spin starts at 11.30am.

You can pre-enter on www.precisiontiming.net for €20 and the cost of entry on the day is €25. If there are any queries, people can ring Stamullen Road Club on 087 2040959.

All of the proceeds will go to the hospital because Slane Cycles in Belfast have agreed to cover any administrative or related costs.

Full Details

(1) Registration and dressing rooms located at St Patrick's GAA on Cockhill Road, Stamullen, from 9:00am with the cycle for the 105km and 55km routes departing at 10:00am. Family 12km cycle departs at 11:30am.

(2) The route for the 105km cycle is - Stamullen, Gormanston, Julianstown, Colpe Cross, Plattin, Kilmoon, Garristown, Naul, Balscadden, Gormanston, Julianstown, Cooperhill, Greenanstown, Four Knocks, Naul, Balscadden, Gormanston, Stamullen.

(3) The route for the 55km cycle is - Stamullen, Gormanston, Julianstown, Dir-Duleek, Kilmoon, Garristown, Naul, Balscadden, Gormanston, Stamullen

(4) The 12km Family Cycle is - Stamullen - Balscadden - Gormanston - Stamullen.

(5) There will be two feed stops during the 105km and 55km cycle and on arrival at finish in St Patrick's GAA grounds there will be refreshments served. Showers will be available to participants.

(6) Goodie bags and T shirts being supplied by www.slanecycles.com who are covering all related expenses.

(7) There will be a free draw for all participants, with a prize of a holiday for two for a week in the south of France.

(8) No sponsorship cards required, just online entries to www.precisiontiming.net at €20.00 each or you can register on the day
€25.00. Family cycle participants pay only one fee in total.