Local charities received a welcome boost with a combined donation of £6,600 from the North Down Cycling Club. The funds were raised through the annual NDCC Coastal Challenge, a 100km cycling event around the scenic Ards Peninsula. A presentation of cheques to six charities took place at Ballyholme, before the usual Saturday club runs. The recipients were: Samaritans, Bangor and North Down – Deirdre Walsh, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – Damien Jackson, The Salvation Army – Scott Cunliffe, Riding for the Disabled Association, Newtownards – Sarah Ferney and Josie Henly, Inspire – Lisa McElherron, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. A spokesperson for the charities stated that, “the donations from NDCC make a huge difference to the services we provide to people in greatest need”. The NDCC fundraiser annually attracts up to 1,000 recreational and club cyclists, from far and wide, with over £40,000 raised for charity in the last five years. This year’s Coastal Challenge will be held on 17 June, so there’s plenty of time to pump up the tyres, oil the chain and start the training! Further details and registration information for the event will be provided on the NDCC website and on social media.
Members of NDCC presenting the cheque to representatives of the Coastal Challenge charities.