This year a team of friends will join together to take on an epic one-day cycling challenge; riding from the Wicklow Mountains along the coast line route to Donaghadee Harbour. This is around 200 miles and we will do it on Saturday 30th July. 

With support vehicles in front, we will set off at 5am from the Wicklow Mountains, with the aim of arriving in Donaghadee Harbour before midnight. 

The team (or magnificent 7 as we like to call ourselves 🤣) consists of Matty Blayney, Richard McCullough, Ray Brownfield, Mark Donnan, Nathan George, Andy Hunter and Duane McCreadie. 

Why? 

In January 2021, Duane’s 4 month old son, Xander, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic and lifelong health condition which affects his respiratory and digestive system. The family were flummoxed and devastated, but felt supported immediately by a hopeful medical team at Belfast RVH who were excited about new treatments which had been approved on the NHS only months before Xander was born. 

Despite this amazing medical progress and all the happy stories about lives being changed for the better, they learned soon after that Xander’s genetic mutations are exceptionally rare, and so he is one of the 10% of people living with Cystic Fibrosis who will not benefit from the new CFTR Modulators like Kaftrio. 

As parents, the only thing Deborah and Duane can do to help is to raise funds to support the work of the scientists & researchers who have made 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.

All funds will go to the CF Trust.

Thank you for reading this far, and if you consider sponsoring us that would be greatly appreciated. Every £1 makes a difference. 

Thank you - Team Wicklow to Donaghadee. 

Some info on the 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. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing. Cystic fibrosis comes with challenges, affecting physical health, mental wellbeing and how those with it choose to live their lives. But our community is uniting towards the ultimate goal of effective treatment for all.