Newry Mourne and Down District Councillors Billy Walker (DUP) and Terry Andrews (SDLP) are to row a special race in the SkiffieWorlds competition coming up in late July in aid of two local charities.
CAPPA and RNLI will benefit from their rowing efforts which will be seen by the thousands enjoying the competitive rowing event of the St Alye’s Skiffs in the world championship event.
Already these two rollicking councillors have clocked up an array of fundraisers that have been entertaining as well as to benefit the charities concerned.
Billy Walker said: “To date we have had great support from the public in our charity events. Our first one was a boxing match which was in aid of PIPS Downpatrick and the Killyleagh Youth Drop In Centre at the Bridge Centre in Killyleagh. Then we ran a golf tee up at Bright Golf Club which again was well supported for the Alzeihmers Society. Both of us like our food so it was no surprise that we both got stuck in at the Great Sub Challenge in Ballynahich during the Christmas Lights switch on last year in aid of the Chest Heart and Stroke Society.
“We are particularly delighted be supporting CAPPA and the RNLI this year. CAPPA is an autism charity. They do a lot of great work with young people and Terry and myself have attended a lot of meetings with them and certainly give them our full support. It is a pity that the South eastern HSC Trust is not supporting them more.
“And the RNLI cover our long coastline in the Council area from Killyleagh to Newry and do an excellent job. The Newcastle lifeboat alone costs around £300,000 per year to run and depends on donations and support from the public.
“I will have a team of senior politicians in my skiff ready to take on the might of Terry’s team. It will get very competitive. We’re in it to win it,” he chuckled.
Terry Andrews too was upbeat about the rowing challenge and added: “I’m keeping my cards close to my chest about my team. We will have to start some practice shortly but I’m confident we can give Billy a run for his money.
“We are looking for people to sponsor and support us for this event. So far we have raised several thousand pounds for good causes and we will continue with this good work. The international skiff championships, SkiffieWorlds 2016, taking place in Strangford Lough will be a great event and it is a first for Northern Ireland.
“We are both looking forward to this challenge and Billy is a great friend of mine and a great sport. Whoever wins the race will be delighted to but the real winners are the charity that we have nominated.”
