The family of little Ellen Treanor from Bessbrook hosted an event in the village’s community centre on Saturday to welcome and acknowledge members of a Belfast cycling club who have held a number of fundraisers recently for ‘Ellen’s Journey’.
The cyclists from VC Glendale in the Dunmurry area of Belfast, have been very active supporters of charities that raise money for children affected by cancer. Their members have previously been involved in raising funds for the Cancer Fund for Children’s therapeutic short breaks centre at Daisy Lodge in Newcastle.
When VC Glendale learned of Ellen’s battle with cancer they offered to undertake a number of cycling and cycling associated events to raise money that will help Ellen access treatment in America which it is hoped would prevent her cancer from returning.
The treatment in America is extremely expensive and prompted Ellen’s family to join forces with Solving Kids Cancer charity to raise the necessary funds. Those funds will be held by the charity for Ellen’s use for a period of five years. If for any reason Ellen doesn’t require some or all of the monies raised, then they will be used by the charity to support other children and families affected by neuroblastoma.
On 2nd September VC Glendale and Kinnings Cycling Club jointly hosted a barbecue at Orangefield playing fields in East Belfast raising £600 on the day. On 29th September their young riders, the Glendale Imps, raised a further £950 by completing a 30km cycle ride from Lady Dixon Park in Belfast to the Civic Centre in Lisburn. And on Saturday past, (6 October) their members undertook a return cycle from Belfast/Lisburn to Bessbrook where they met with Ellen, her family and other fundraisers. Members and supporters who were not able to take part in the cycle, held a two-hour spin class in Belfast to further boost the fundraising campaign.
Finally, VC Glendale have announced plans to host a barbecue at their cycle cross event in Musgrave Park in Belfast on 21st October with all the funds raised by the members going to Solving Kids Cancer for Ellen’s use.
To show the family’s appreciation for the efforts made by the cyclists, the members of Ellen’s fundraising committee invited them to Bessbrook to meet the family and enjoy a complimentary lunch where the Chairman of Newry Mourne and Down District Council was also in attendance to welcome them.
Ellen has just recently completed three weeks of radiotherapy (all being well, her last session on Friday past) and she sailed through that without complaint. Meanwhile, the people across the whole of this district have been touched by her plight and continue to support the various fundraisers currently underway. Ellen’s family are overwhelmed by the level of support shown to them at this very difficult time and are deeply appreciative of the amount of money raised in a very short period of time – an astounding £200k in 12 weeks. This money has been donated from people of all ages – from primary school children to pensioners – and from small businesses to medium and large companies and is evidence of how little Ellen’s plight has touched the nation.
