Drew, who lives in Holywood, was taking part in the Mizen to Malin Head Elite Cycle Challenge event organised by Co Down charity Mainstay DRP as part of a fundraising drive to raise the £3 million needed to create a state-of-the-art purpose built development designed to improve the lives of people with a learning disability or severe autism in the area.
It just so happened that man of the moment Rory McIlroy – who is still celebrating after winning his first major win at the US Open in June and has just returned home from competing in the 2011 Open Championship in Kent – was only too happy to lend his support to the very worthy cause.
[caption id="attachment_26189" align="alignleft" width="450" caption="US Open Champion Rory McIlroy has supported biker Drew Wylie in his charity cycle for Mainstay DRP in Downpatrick who plan to build a new £3 million centre. "]
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When Rory heard of the sterling care and support service the charity has been providing in his native county for over two decades, he made a very generous donation.
Drew, who works in the construction industry, completed the cycling event along with 30 other participants on Wednesday 13 July at Malin Head, Co Donegal, and his fundraising efforts exceeded all expectations.
Over £8,000 has been raised by Drew alone – far beyond the £1,000 target set by the charity for each cyclist – and the money is still coming in.
And Rory was delighted when he heard about his friend’s success.
He said, “If you really feel strongly about a cause and put your all in, all you can do is hope people are willing to support you. Even if you think it’s not that much, if you give what you can it’s a good thing.”
“The thing about taking up a sport is to enjoy it – give it your best shot, have fun and enjoy it.”
The 22-year-old very selflessly give up his time to pose for a photo with his prized US Open trophy at his private practice area in the grounds of his Moneyrea home on Thursday to publicise Drew’s fundraising efforts.
The world-famous golfer, who is preparing for the Irish Open in Killarney next week, also wished the charity’s fundraising cyclists “good luck” on their next sporting event the Mourne 100KM which takes place on Sunday, September 18th.
Other sportsmen who very kindly sponsored Drew include professional rally driver Kris Meeke, World Superbike rider Leon Haslem and MotoGP World Championship winner Jeremy McWilliams.
Drew said he was “very grateful” to all his sponsors for their generosity and on Rory’s generosity he added,“I’ve known Rory for the last two or three years and he’s well respected as a great champion of local charities. He came back to me with a very generous donation to say the least. That’s just Rory’s nature,” added Drew.]]>
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