Aibha, 6, cycles to her limit every day for a month in honour of aunt who recovered from serious head injury

Inspired by her aunt Sinead’s ten-year battle, little Aibha Loughran raised almost £2000 (including Gift Aid) for Head Injury Support (HIS) Newry, which cares for head injury survivors.

Aibha had only just learned to ride without stabilisers when she took up the challenge in June, cycling as far as she could every day for the entire month, reaching 50 miles.

Asked what kept her going, she said: “When my aunty was my age she went out on her bike without a helmet. And when she fell and hit her head she got a blood clot in her brain.”

Her aunt had to endure ten years of physiotherapy and operations before she made a full recovery, she said.

The little trooper said there was only one day she felt too tired to continue. “Well I did think that one day, but I was like - ‘I am going to have to go out anyway’.”

They cycled at Slieve Gullion, Gosford Park, and on the Newry canal towpath.

Her aunt was only too thrilled with the feat. “She got me a present when I finished - a make up set.”

And the message she wants to drive home is clear: “When you are going outside on your bike or your scooter make sure to wear your helmet.”

Aibha also paid tribute to her support team.

“My mum and my wee sister Lara came with me every day. Sometimes Lara scootered, sometimes ran and sometimes cycled.”

Her achievement has also seen her make a charming appearance on BBC Radio Ulster’s Connor Phillips Show.

Aibha’s mother, Deborah, said her parents enjoyed no specialist support in coping with the extra pressures of her sister’s injuries.

But now she supports HIS, Newry.

“We were very conscious that during lockdown, like most other charities, all their funding streams had dried up,” she said.

“So we thought, wouldn’t it be lovely to do a cycle challenge to raise awareness of wearing cycle helmets, while raising money for Head Injury Support and making sure that the girls were getting their daily exercise?”

Anne Murphy of HIS, praised Aibha’s efforts.

“The COVID-19 crisis has severely impacted the fundraising efforts of many charities, including Head Injury Support,” she said. “Aiabha’s amazing cycling challenge raised over £1,800 which will help us continue supporting people in the local community who have an acquired brain injury.”

Donations can be made to Head Injury Support, 4 Kildare Street, Newry BT34 1DQ, or at https://donate.kindlink.com/head-injury-support/3090

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