A cycle from Carlow to Clabby is no easy task but for Keith Naughton it was a familiar road as was well used to driving it when courting his Clabby born wife. Keith undertook the cycle on June 5 and successfully raised €3,610 for MS Ireland.

Keith explained his decision to cycle this route: “I grew up in Callow in County Roscommon, and my wife Donna grew up in Clabby in County Fermanagh, so in a past life, once her Father Curley had given me the once over to see his daughter, I drove from one to the other many times, so I knew it would be great challenge to cycle, but it turned out to be a really enjoyable cycle with my good friend Ciaran Fagan who cycled with me.”

Keith undertook this challenge after seeing the difficult year that charities had due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He said: I know charities have found it very difficult to fundraise as they usually would, and I read that MS Ireland needed help to fundraise, and I had been cycling on and off for years, and wanted to help out any way I could to raise funds.

“My mother has had MS for years, and I know the great work and help that the MS Ireland offer to people, there are a lot of great charities and causes but for me it was to help fund raise so they can help people who need it.

The cyclists began their journey at 8:10am after a 5:30am wake-up call.

Keith described the day. He said: “We had some neighbours from home there to wish us well. Mam wanted to cook a fry up for us, but the bacon would not have been great for fuelling the body or hydration!

“We had estimated siz hours for the cycle, with a few stops along the way, but made it to the first stop in Leitrim village 20 minutes faster than planned. We met my wife Donna, two sons, Nicky and Teddy and my brother Adrian and mother Hilary there, they would take it in turns to be the support vehicle.

“From Leitrim village we headed for Ballinamore which was just about halfway, then on to Swanlinbar, the left knee began to hurt just after Swanlinbar, it happens when I cycle long distances, but there was no stopping us. Ciaran led the way as we headed for Carrybridge and then the final stretch to Clabby where we were met by my nieces and nephews, a great welcoming party.”