Fundraising cycle in memory of Athlone's Brian Carty
As he battled terminal cancer with immense courage, Brian Carty had a request for those who knew and loved him.
"He didn’t ask for much when he was sick, but one of the things he was anxious about was that we would keep his name alive and would talk about him," said Doron Harte, a teammate of Brian's at Garrycastle GAA club.
The young Bonavalley man died in March of last year, and honouring his memory is one of the motivations behind an upcoming cycle from Athlone to Galway.
The event, on Saturday, May 25, will raise money in support of the vitally important service provided by the South Westmeath Hospice and palliative care team.
More than 30 people have already signed up to take part in the cycle, and the friends of Brian who are organising it are hoping to increase that number to 100 over the coming weeks.
The cyclists will be stopping in Ballinasloe and Craughwell before reaching the finishing point at the Connacht Hotel in Galway.
Sponsors have agreed to provide transport for the cyclists, and their bikes, back to Athlone where a gathering will take place that evening in The Bounty.
"The day will be free for cyclists, you just have to raise money for the South Westmeath Hospice and palliative care team," explained Doron.
He said the Carty family had spoken about the outstanding care and support the Hospice and palliative care team had provided to Brian.
As (Brian's Dad) Owen said to me the other day, you don’t realise the importance of the service that they provide until you need it yourself," commented Doron.
Eoin 'Joey' Jordan, a close friend of Brian, described him as "a great character".
"He was very witty and wouldn’t let anybody away with anything!" he smiled.
"You’d be walking on eggshells sometimes, around him, because any sort of slip up and he would capitalise on it! He had that sharp wit, and his Dad would be similar in that way."
He said there was an active WhatsApp group of Brian's friends. "Nearly every day, there would be something on it that would be a reminder of him, or some of the slagging that went on when we were in college or in school. His memory is definitely still very much alive.
"Brian would have been very loyal to his friends and to the people that meant a lot to him, the likes of his girlfriend Maggie, his family, and Garrycastle (GAA).
"He would go out of his way to help anybody. So we’re just trying to follow that on now by raising as much as we can to help the Hospice."
Brian Carty
His cousin, rugby star Jack Carty, dedicated his first Irish cap to Brian earlier this year and Doron said Jack will be auctioning off his jersey from that Six Nations game against Italy to help raise funds for the cycle on May 25.
Doron said any sponsors that wished to come on board to support the event, in any capacity, would be much appreciated.
More information is available on the 'Brian Carty Memorial Cycle' Facebook page, or you can contact Doron on 087 9576288 or email: bccycle19@gmail.com