Charity bike race in memory of Stuart generates £19k

Cyclists taking part in the Islandmagee/Whitehead bike race at the weekend in memory of Islandmagee FC footballer Stuart Ross, who died suddenly in September. The event aimed to raise funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). INLT 01-720-CON

Some 247 cyclists took part in Sunday’s event, which generated funds for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).

The 25-year-old athlete was playing his first match for the club in September when he collapsed. He received medical attention at the scene, but sadly could not be revived.

The fundraiser, which took place on a 20-mile circuit around Islandmagee and Whitehead, began at the Whitecliff Inn on Sunday afternoon.

It was organised by local man Noel McKee, a colleague of Stuart’s father David. “After a tragedy like that, people’s first thought is what can they do to help; we came up with the cycle idea as we knew it’d be an ideal time of year for it and we wanted to do something in the area Stuart was from,” Noel said.

“We had people come from all over to take part - Broughshane, Ballymena, Ballyclare, Kircubbin, Cushendall, Carrick and Belfast. We even had one person who came from Scotland who managed to raise £900 on their own.

“CRY carry out free heart screening tests for young people; it’s not a particularly well-known charity so the money raised will go a long way. It was set up by bereaved families, so it would be a great help if this funding can in any way prevent another family from going through what Stuart’s family have had to go through.”

The event received financial support from the South Antrim Community Network, with the total significantly boosted by a £10,000 donation from AES Kilroot.

Over 40 volunteers from the local area also pitched in to help with general duties on the day.

Noel added: “One thing that we do have in Islandmagee and Whitehead is a great sense of community; people will always come together and support eachother.”

The race also featured a ‘five hill challenge’ poker run, which invited the more experienced participants to cycle all five hills in the Island and receive a playing card at the top of each one.

The event finished off on Sunday evening with entertainment at the Whitecliff Inn.

Meanwhile, CRY will be holding two Electrocardiogram (ECG) screening clinics in Belfast on March 1 and 2.

The charity also has a clinic at the Jordanstown campus of University of Ulster on the Shore Road.

For more information, visit www.c-r-y.org.uk/ecg.htm