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Last Updated: Nov 6th, 2007 - 21:39:24 |
Gerry Brannigan Benevolent Fund
By Gerry Brannigan Benevolent Fund Committee
Nov 3, 2007,
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You might remember that last year, a cycling group ran a charity spin to raise funds for the family of the late Gerry Brannigan who died suddenly aged just 52 years.
This event raised a substantial amount for Gerry's family which was greatly appreciated. Over 320 cyclists took part on the day.
This year we are running a similar event to raise funds for the Gerry Brannigan Benevolent Fund.
This fund will be set up and administered by a committee consisting of Philip Finegan, Ronnie Brannigan, Alice Sherratt, Mick Usher and a few others. A contribution from the Fund will be available to all families of IVCA/Cycling Ireland Members in the event of death.
Details are outlined in the letter below, this will be circulated to all clubs along with sponsorship cards in the coming days.
----- Letter to Clubs -------
Dear Friends
As many of you may well know, Gerry Brannigan, racing member of Orwell Wheelers and Irish Veterans Cyclists Association died suddenly in October 2006 aged just 52 years leaving behind his wife Helen and five children.
We as friends came together, formed a committee and decided to organise a charity cycle to support Gerry’s family in their time of need. The Gerry Brannigan Memorial Cycle took place last November in glorious dry weather and we were overwhelmed with entries and over 320 riders took part. In addition to entries, sponsorship cards were also distributed and returned and through the generosity of cyclists, their friends and families, a large sum was donated to Gerry’s family.
Each year, we all hear of deaths in our cycling community, be it from an accident or illness and we all wonder if we could be of any help or assistance to the families left behind.
With this in mind, we have decided to establish the Gerry Brannigan Benevolent Fund and run a cycling event on Sunday 11th November next starting at 10.30am from McDonalds Pub in Clonee, Co Meath. Two routes will be available – 75kms and 35kms. Both routes will be marked and supervised at all junctions and refreshments will be available after the event.
All monies raised will be lodged into the Gerry Brannigan Benevolent Fund Account. In the event of the death or any IVCA member or Cycling Ireland Club Member, a contribution from this fund will be made available to next of kin to support them through this difficult time.
This is a chance to help others in the same way that Gerry’s family were helped last year and it will be available to all cycling families, countrywide.
So please, could you make all your club members aware of this date and encourage them to get on their bikes and come along on the day and make a contribution. If they cant make it, please use the enclosed sponsorship cards and return them to the above address.
Its only one Sunday Morning but it can make all the difference to members of my club, your club and all clubs. Last year, it was a great event and was reminiscent of the Hamper Races in Carrick in the Mid Nineties and showed that while there are rivalries between all clubs, we can still all come together and unite and be of help to one another.
Help us make this year another success and be of benefit to us all.
Any Further details are available from Mick Usher 087-2557980 or Ronnie Brannigan 086-6096369
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