YFCU charity cycle '˜86 miles for 86 years'

The charity cycle will raise money for the association’s 90th anniversary fund as well as Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.

Speaking of the upcoming cycle Roberta commented: “I am asking all six counties to get behind me in raising funds for two very worthy causes by completing a leg of the cycle which will be approximately 14 miles. Or, for those with extra leg power – there is of course the option of cycling the full 86 miles. The event however is not a race, simply a cycle and we will be passing through many local towns and villages who will hopefully come out to support and cheer us on.

“A number of bikes have been very kindly donated by Belfast Country Bike Tours and John McElderry Motors & Tractors Ltd in Ballymoney will be donating a Massey Ferguson tractor that will lead the cyclists throughout the route. Our route for the cycle is the ‘Lap of the Lough’ beginning on Thursday 7th April in Randalstown. From there we will cycle to Lurgan and spend the night in the pods at Oxford Island, kindly granted and donated by ABC Council and the Lord Mayor, Darren Causby. On Friday morning we will then be travelling to La Mon Hotel, where our annual AGM and conference will be held that weekend.”

Roberta continued: “We will be raising money which will be split equally for the organisation’s 90th anniversary fund – providing education, support and training to our rural youth – as well as Diabetes UK Northern Ireland. The health and wellbeing of the members of our organisation are very important to us and as a type 1 Diabetic myself, diagnosed three years ago, I am keen to see a cure found and the condition iradicated.”

Norman Trotter, Director of Belfast Country Bike Tours said: “As leading providers of short bike breaks and bike hire across Northern Ireland we are more than pleased to provide tour and road bikes with mechanical backup for this fantastic fund raising event.”

Kevin Gribben, Sales Manager John McElderry Motors & Tractors Ltd said: “We were delighted to be approached by Roberta Simmons, YFCU President, to provide a Massey Ferguson tractor to lead her sponsored cycle run in aid of the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster’s 90th anniversary fund as well as Diabetes UK Northern Ireland. The charities are doing great work and we hope the presence of a large, red tractor will generate great interest and support.”

Diabetes UK Northern Ireland Regional Fundraiser, Naomi Breen, said: “We would like to thank Roberta Simmons and the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster for choosing Diabetes UK Northern Ireland to receive half of the funds raised from their upcoming cycling challenge. Diabetes, whether it is Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, is impacting more and more of our lives so it is vitally important that events like this help raise awareness about the seriousness of this condition. There are 86,000 people living with diabetes in Northern Ireland with a further estimated 12,000 living with Type 2 diabetes who have not yet been diagnosed so any funds raised are gratefully received in order for us as a charity to reach out and support the local diabetes community. We would like to wish all the cyclists every success in their cycling challenge and hope people will turn out to support them.”

For more information or to donate please contact YFCU HQ on 028 9037 0713.

Roberta’s Just Giving page can also be found at:www.justgiving.com/ROBERTA-SIMMONS1.