Rector raises £750 with a virtual Tour de France
Revd Brian Cadden has raised more than £750 for Christian Aid Ireland with a sponsored bike ride in the Mournes, equivalent to three gruelling stages of the Tour de France.
He was generously supported by family, friends and his congregations at St Paul's, Castlewellan and Bryansford Church where he has been rector since 2006.
Last July, Brian cycled along the highest stretch of the Tour de France route and in the Mournes pedalled 346 kms, equivalent to stages 13-15 of the famous race.
He explained what motivated him to raise money for the international aid agency:
“Lockdown meant I couldn’t travel to France this year, but I still wanted to try and set myself a cycling challenge for a good cause. And with all the sunshine we’ve had, I could have almost believed I was back in the Pyrenees! I was delighted to receive so much support from the congregations in my parish of Castlewellan and Kilcoo.”
Christian Aid Ireland Chief Executive Rosamond Bennett praised the cyclist for his fundraising efforts:
“Revd Cadden is an inspiration for staying fit during lockdown while raising funds for our work with the world’s poorest people. We are very grateful to him and to everyone who sponsored him so generously.”