Kildorrery’s cycling duo ready to see a washing machine

With 460 kilometres under their belt, Kildorrery cycling duo Eddie and Annie Quinn are well on their way on their fundraising cycle for Ukraine. Updating readers on their epic journey and speaking with TheAvondhu on Tuesday evening, the pair were ‘ cosy and dry’ in their B&B outside Bundoran in Co Donegal. Plans for Wednesday were to make it to Donegal Town for two day’s rest with Eddie’s sister Pat, with the pile of laundry ready for a good spin!

“We had forgotten just how hilly the route is from Limerick!”, said Annie. “It has been unrelenting, but we are becoming fitter. Donegal town tomorrow midday, for two nights rest with Ed’s sister, Pat. Her washing machine is ready, prepped and eager to sort out our iffy Lycra! Then we will turn north-east, towards Lifford and into the North.”

CHANCE ENCOUNTER

The Quinns are undertaking the cycle not just for fun, but to raise funds for Ukraine via the charity GOAL. Earlier on Tuesday Annie told of a very special encounter with a young man.

town, “Today, I had a wonderful in Sligo surprise. A young man asked me, in broken English, ‘ Which way is it to the ocean? I have never seen the ocean. Can I take a bus?’ Annie explained that she wasn’t local but using the sun as a compass directed him in the general direction of the Atlantic.

“I asked him what was his home country. He had arrived two days ago with his ‘ Mamá’ from Ukraine! He told me they were delighted with all the kindness they had received here in Ireland. I asked how he had managed to leave Ukraine freely, as he seemed to be in his twenties. He told me they had fled just days before his 18th birthday. Sadly, they left behind his father and an older brother.”

“He was full of smiles and seemed very organised, with a small rucksack on his back and seemed quite happy just to be searching for his first sight of ‘ the ocean’. No doubt, if he found it today, he will be taking ‘Mamá’ to see it tomorrow.”

FUNDRAISING ONGOING

Ed and Annie are fundraising via GOAL’s website, and Annie says their donations have now topped the €4,000 mark. Anyone wishing to support the Quinns as they pedal their way throughout the country, can visit https://www. goalglobal.org/quinnspin/