Raglan Rollers – Remembering their dad with charity cycle
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A KNOCKLYON family launched a charity cycle in honour of their much-loved father and husband in St James’s Hospital last week.
The cycle, which will take place in May, is being held to raise funds for St James’ Hospital Blood Cancer Research and to promote lymphoma symptom awareness.
Peter O'Reilly
The Raglan Rollers cycle, which is being held in memory of Peter O’Reilly, who passed away aged 67 in March 2018 as a result of lymphoma, will consist of a 37km leisure route for amateur cyclists and a 115km route for elite cyclists, both of which will bring cyclists through the Dublin Mountains.
Peter’s family described him as being “our world”, and his enduring passion for music prompted his family to name the event the Raglan Rollers Peter O’Reilly Charity Cycle – fittingly, there will be live trad music in Ballyboden St Enda’s Clubhouse following the cycle.
Peter’s daughter, Kate O’Reilly, told The Echo: “My dad passed away from lymphoma two years ago this March, but if we had been more aware of the symptoms of lymphoma, we might have had a different outcome.
“He was a very, very positive person, and he had such a love for life – he was always on the go, and he always said that you need to take the positive from a negative.
“So we’re trying to make a positive out of it by holding the charity cycle.”
Peter’s wife Joan and his sons and daughter at St James’
Peter’s health issues began in September 2017, when he was suffering from fever and jaundice, and he was also misdiagnosed with a skin condition after getting treatment for a rash that was irritating him – with his family saying that they lost “valuable potential treatment time” as a result.
Looking ahead, the family now want to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of lymphoma and to raise funds for St James’ Hospital blood cancer research facility, all while keeping the memory of their father alive.
The Raglan Rollers Peter O’Reilly Charity Cycle will take place on Saturday, May 23, starting at Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA Club.
People are invited to sign up for the charity cycle
A number of training days are being held ahead of the cycle so participants can get to know each other and finesse their cycling abilities.
The early bird cost of participation is €35 for Cycling Ireland members, or €40 for non-members, until March 17.
For further details, to sign-up or donate visit the Raglan Rollers Facebook page HERE or the Raglan Rollers website HERE.
