Main pic from L-R: Mark Scott, Ciaran McGinley, Gerald McGinley Jnr, Gerald McGinley Snr, Paul McGinley and Dylan McGarrigle.
A Milford man will this Friday lead a charity cycle from Donegal Hospice to Bolton Hospice in England in memory of his late mother.
Paul McGinley, from Moyle Hill, is a mad Bolton Wanderers fan and wants to raise as much funds as possible for both organisations.
He lost his wonderful mum, Frances McGinley, to cancer two years ago. She was in and out of hospital for two years and, finally, had a short stay in the care of Donegal Hospice before she passed away.
“Frances was such a kind and giving woman who always put others before herself. She truly was a special woman,” Paul’s wife, Shauna, told Donegal Daily.
The late Frances McGinley.
“Paul is an avid Bolton Wanderers fan. Both of us are season ticket holders and try to make as many home games as possible,” she added.
“We have made many lovely friends in Bolton over the last few years. John McGinlay, ex-Bolton Wanderers player and club ambassador, mentioned the good work the club does in supporting the hospice and so Paul decided to organise a charity cycle to benefit both the hospice that cared so well for his mother and also the town that has shown both of us such warmth and kindness.”
The McGinley family was so grateful for the care Frances received in the hospice and wanted to find a way to give back, whilst also commemorating her.
So, Paul set about looking for volunteers to join in with the cycle as well as a support crew to help along the way.
He ‘rounded up’ 11 cyclists in total – nine making the full trip and two who will complete the Irish leg. Paul’s father, Gerald, was first to sign up.
“Gerald celebrated his 72nd birthday last week and would put many of the family to shame with his level of fitness,” continued Shauna.
Paul McGinley, John McGinlay, ex-Bolton player and Club Ambassador, and Shauna McGinley at the Bolton grounds prior to the Wrexham game.
Paul’s brothers, Ciaran and Gerald, are also accompanying him as well as his uncle Pat Hegarty, brother-in-law Mark Scott, nephew Dylan McGarrigle, cousins Eamon and Christopher McGinley and friends, Ivan Scott and Lexie Diver. Six others will be following in a van providing refreshments and encouragement along the way.
Paul set up a GoFundMe page, got sponsorship cards printed and is organising some local events to raise money for both hospices.
Some of their Bolton friends are also keen to help and will be raising funds, too.
They will be leaving the Donegal Hospice at 7.30 am on Friday and cycling to Belfast (197 kms) where we will get the ferry overnight. On arrival at Birkenhead, the guys will set off on the next leg of the journey (84 kms) arriving at Bolton Hospice at around 11.30am on Saturday.
“We will then head to the Bolton Wanderers stadium for a well-deserved rest, but not until we all watch Bolton beat Exeter. Paul’s crusade to get as many Donegal people as possible converted to BWFC fans continues,” concluded Shauna.
If you want to make a donation to their great effort in aid of Donegal and Bolton hospices, go to the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/charity-cycle-from-the-donegal-hospice-to-the-bolton-hospice
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