Team members from joint venture Farrans Sacyr, the main contractors delivering Belfast Grand Central Station, along with friends are setting out on an epic one-day, 200 mile cycling challenge on Saturday 30th July, with all funds raised going to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
The group of amateur cyclists will depart from the Wicklow mountains at 5am, accompanied by support vehicles, with the aim of arriving at Donaghadee Harbour shortly before midnight.
Duane McCreadie, project director for Farrans Sacyr, will be joined by Matty Blayney, Richard McCullough, Ray Brownfield, Mark Donnan, Nathan George and Andy Hunter.
In January 2021, Duane’s 4 month old son, Xander, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic and lifelong health condition. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 10,800 people in the UK.
The McCreadie family were devastated however felt supported by a hopeful medical team at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, who were excited about new treatments which had been approved on the NHS only months before Xander was born.
Despite the amazing medical progress, Xander’s genetic mutations are exceptionally rare and he is one of the 10% of people living with Cystic Fibrosis who will not benefit from the new CFTR Modulators like Kaftrio.
Duane said: “No parent wants to be in this position however my wife Deborah and I recognise that the best action we can take is to raise funds to support the work of scientists and researchers who have made finding a cure for ‘the other 10%’ their life’s work. We believe that funding this research will mean that one day Xander, and all babies born with CF, will live a life entirely without limits.
“The challenge that we are taking on this weekend is daunting to say the least, with approximately 14 hours in the saddle. The collaborative spirit from the FSJV team is fantastic and I am pleased that my teammates will be cycling with me. We would all class ourselves as cycling enthusiasts, however we haven’t tried a distance of this length before. Training hasn’t been as consistent as it probably should have been, but we are all feeling ready and looking forward to raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust.”
Find out more and donate to Cystic Fibrosis Trust at www.justgiving.com/wicklowtodonaghadee
