Kilclief man Tom Murphy to cycle 60 Km without moving an inch for Cancer Research UK
Tom Murphy from Kilclief who works in IT plans to row 60 Kilometres on The Green in Strangford without moving an inch all in aid of Cancer Research UK.
No, April Fools Day has past and he is serious about his task in hand.
On Sunday 21st April 2024, at 10am he will embark on his charity row without leaving the spot. He will be putting his back into the training rowing machine which has built in metres to calculate the symbolic distance he will travel.
Tom is celebrating hitting the ‘big six oh’ (60) and he is putting his foot in the right direction by supporting Cancer Research UK. He will be supported by his wife Anne Marie and family and friends who will be there to cheer him on.
Tom said: “I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve been training for several weeks to make sure I’m fit for the rowing challenge.
“I decided to take this on because my father died before he was sixty from asbestosis. He was a builder and one day was working in close proximity to workers who were lagging pipes with an asbestos-plaster mix.
‘Back in those days very few people thought about health and safety. He must have become contaminated with the asbestos and it took its toll on him later on in life.
“So I hope to raise awareness about this disease and to raise vital funds for Cancer Research. Already I have £1800 gathered in and there should be a lot more to come once we get closer to the event and on the day.
“As a member of Strangford Lough Coastal Rowing Club, I’ll have the support of the members on the day who will keep my spirits up amidst cups of tea and coffee and buns on the Green.
“There will be taster rowing sessions on the water for anyone who wants to give skiff rowing a go, and there will be boat trips. It’s such good fun and you meet lots of friends.
“Coastal rowing is great as age doesn’t matter a great deal. Everyone just rows together at a safe pace, but in the actual races, it can get very competitive.
“On Sunday the 21st April there should be a lot of people milling around shouting me on especially when I get to the 60Km mark.
“It will be a great event. And there will be rowers and representatives from other local rowing clubs there too in support.
“On the day people will be able too make donations, but my fundraising page is up and running just now.
“Check out the QR code to Cancer Research UK to donate:
Or go to the Cancer Research Uk website and donate on the link:
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/60km-at-60-on-rowing-machine
Cllr Cadogan Enright who is a member of the Strangford Coastal Rowing Club said: “As a team-mate of Tom I have seen how hard he has trained over the past few months for this fundraiser event for Cancer Research UK.
“To date he has rowed an amazing 1800 Km on the rowing training machine which will put him in good shape for the final 60Km row on Sunday 21st April.
“So please make a donation large or small and share the link to this article with your friends encouraging them to do the same. It’s all for a great cause… Cancer Research UK helping to fight a disease that affects almost all families at some stage.”
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/60km-at-60-on-rowing-machine
