A FORMER Ulster and Ireland rugby star has signed up for a massive charity cycle in Dromore this Saturday.

Stephen Ferris, a hard-hitting flanker whose career was cut short by injury, will take part in the Dromore54 Cycle Challenge.

The event this Saturday is taking place around the 20th anniversary of the death of young Gaelic footballer Paul McGirr, who tragically died while playing in the Ulster Championship for Tyrone Minors against Armagh on June 15, 1997.

The teenager had been a talented forward with his local club, Dromore St. Dympna’s.

He had also been a member of the Fermanagh College team that won the 1996 All-Ireland Vocational School Cup, since renamed the Paul McGirr Cup.

The Dromore54 cycle is being organised by the Spirit of Paul McGirr, the charity set up 10 years ago in his memory.

All the funds raised by the event will support the charity’s work in Africa.

The Spirit of Paul McGirr has previously built a community centre and business units and is currently funding a pre-school for children with disabilities in Lusaka, Zambia.

Now, the charity is initiating work on the design of a secondary school in the same area.

On Saturday, all 54 hurling and Gaelic football clubs in Tyrone will be visited on the day by different teams of cyclists.

Participants will choose one of 10 routes, with distances ranging from 30 miles to 93 miles.

All 10 of the routes will start and finish in Dromore.

Michael McGirr, who was Paul’s brother and is now chairman of the organising committee, said: “This fundraising cycle is a fun way of engaging every football and hurling club in Tyrone. While the 30 mile route should suit most people, there’s no doubt the 93 mile is a challenge for the fittest cyclists.”

After the cycle challenge has ended, the organisers are planning on holding a celebratory barbeque, followed by entertainment.

Urging people to give their support, Mr. McGirr said: “Here we know that education provides all our children with the opportunity to make the most from their lives and reduces poverty. It is a simple conclusion for us in the Spirit of Paul McGirr that a secondary school will positively impact this Lusakan community for generations to come.

“Raising the funds to build the school is our next challenge and the reason we are organising Dromore54 and other activities this month on Paul’s 20th anniversary.”

Visit www.spiritofpaulmcgirr.org for the online registration form.