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Damian Lennon Cycle Challenge raises awareness of pancreatic cancer

Dozens of cyclists took part in the event and to date a Just Giving page set up for the cause has raised £4,835
Dozens of cyclists took part in the event and to date a Just Giving page set up for the cause has raised £4,835 Dozens of cyclists took part in the event and to date a Just Giving page set up for the cause has raised £4,835

A SPONSORED cycle in memory of a Co Down GAA club member, who died following a battle with cancer, has raised thousands of pounds for cancer research.

Damian Lennon died from pancreatic cancer last July and his family and Aghaderg GAC - Ballyvarley HC organised the Damian Lennon Cycle Challenge to raise awareness of the disease.

Mr Lennon was a lifelong member of the club and volunteered his time as both player and manager.

He also played a significant role in the Community Games organisation at both a local and county level.

A sponsored cycle was chosen to mirror one that Mr Lennon himself took part in for Aghaderg in 2009 that ran from Tipperary to Ballyvarley Hall, celebrating 125 years of the GAA.

Sunday's event re-traced part of that journey from Dublin to Ballyvarley, while a family friendly cycle from Scarva to Newry and back also took place.

Dozens of cyclists took part in the event and to date a Just Giving page for the cause has raised £4,835, more than double the target amount of £2,000.

A coffee morning was also held in the Old Town Hall in Banbridge in conjunction with the sponsored cycle, with all proceeds also going to the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Around 9,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year, and only 3 per cent of those diagnosed survive for five years or more.