Andy O'Brien of Navan RC gave a lift on his bike to Helen Donegan of Navan SVP as he limbered up for the club's Christmas Day fundraiser in aid of the charity. Also pictured are Navan SVP members (from left): Catherine O'Connor, Kathleen Doherty, Mary Toole and Sean Connell.

Standstill bikers raise almost €3,000 for Navan SVP

Published: Wed 6 Jan 2010, 4:52 PM

Sub-zero weather conditions failed to deter a group of hardy fundraisers who gathered at The Ramparts in Navan on Christmas morning. Despite temperatures of -5 degrees, cyclists from Navan Road Club and members of the local St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) got together for the bikers' annual novelty time-trial in aid of the charity. However, the dangerous surface caused by the freeze-up kept the riders stationary on roller cycles. While nobody moved an inch, over two hours of pedalling by a number of participants on three machines resulted in the clocking up of an estimated 200 miles. The event raised €2,803, donated by passing motorists and pedestrians towards the work of the SVP in the area. There, too, to lend his support was the Mayor of Navan, Cllr Joe Reilly, who also assisted with the bucket collection, ably canvassing cash instead of votes. Helping out also were PJ Nolan, host club member and former president of Cycling Ireland. Catherine O'Connor, Navan area president of the SVP, thanked the road club for its much appreciated efforts and the public for their generous contributions. Pre-Christmas church gate and shopping centre collections in aid of the local SVP in the Navan region realised a total of €48,196.