Dads Cycle for Charity was formed in 2006 by a group of former Drumbaragh players and officials. It got together to raise money for local charities. In the three years since its foundation, it has raised over 50,000 with all monies donated to five local charities: Kells Arch Club which helps people with special needs; St. Vincent de Paul; Meals on Wheels; Kells Branch for Children of Chernobyl; and a couple of independent charities such as Helen Tormey Trust Fund and Crossakiel Young at Heart. It all started over a couple of drinks at Christmas 2005. Frankie Lynch organized a meeting in Drumbaragh Emmetts clubroom and it was decided to call the group Dads Cycle for Charity. It was agreed to raise funds for local charities as a way of putting something back into the local community, because over the years while playing for Drumbaragh the parish and surrounding area had given tremendous support to the club. The crew over the last three years consisted of 13 members, made up of nine cyclists and four safety officers. The cyclists over the years have been Willie Arkins, Joe Smith, Aidan O'Donnell, Patrick O'Higgins, Peter O'Higgins, Hugh Clarke, Brendan Caffrey, Johnny Connolly, Tony Lynch, Joe Lee, PJ Caffrey and Frankie Lynch. Michael Smith from Kilskyre acted as transport manager and also doubled up as a driver along with Peter Caffrey and Patrick Grimes. Tommy Carry is the safety officer. The first year, 2006, took the group to Westport on bike on a Friday, they then climbed Croagh Patrick on the Saturday before cycling back to Kells on the Sunday. In 2007 the group cycled to Galway, cycled around the Aran Islands on Saturday before making the return journey to Kells on the Sunday. The year saw the crew cycle to Bundoran on a Friday where they received a Civic Reception from Bundoran Urban Council Chairman. On the Saturday they cycled from Bundoran to Letterkenny and back, before returning to Kells on the Sunday. The main sponsors over the past three years have been Kells Window Restoration and the group would like the thanks them for their help over the years. A big thank you goes out to all who contributed over the years and especially the wives and girlfriends who were on duty at the church gate collections. Tweet

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