Full-time nurse and part-time farmer Fergal Guihen has raised €125,000 for two charitable causes in the northwest after travelling from Roscommon to Sydney on a pushbike.
The two-year test of cycling endurance took Guihen through 28 countries spread across three continents.
“Along the way, I navigated the remote valleys of Afghanistan, endured -20°C on the Tibetan Plateau and found myself followed by undercover police through the Taklamakan Desert in China,” Guihen commented this weekend after reaching his goal of Sydney.
“I was drugged and attacked in Iran, requiring seven stitches and later facing questioning over suspicions that I was a spy.
“I made it through all of those terrains and many more on the very same bike I left Roscommon on, armed with nothing more than the belief that I would rather try and fail than never try at all.”
The €125,000 in funds raised are to be split between the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and NorthWest STOP suicide prevention services, with both charities “extremely close” to Guihen’s heart.
Adventure
“I’ve arrived at Sydney Opera House, two years after leaving my home in Roscommon, travelling the full length of three continents and 28 countries,” he said.
“What I originally believed would take one year ultimately became a two-year adventure and, without question, the toughest thing I have ever done.
“The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation provided vital palliative care for my great-grandmother in the final days of her life.
“My aunt died by suicide when I was just four years old and, eight months into this journey, I was forced to return home after my first cousin passed away from suicide at the age of 28.”
The nurse said that he now plans to step off the saddle for a while, but will keep up his advocacy for the two charities.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation CEO Martina Jennings heralded Guihen’s feat as “incredible”.
“We have a big year ahead of us as we enter the planning stages for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, the first of its kind on the western seaboard," she said.
“So many families will benefit from this service and all funds raised will make a huge difference to that project, as well as to Mayo and Roscommon Hospices, in order to keep them going.”
Read more
My Farming Week: Fergal Guihen, Arigna, Co Roscommon
Full-time nurse and part-time farmer Fergal Guihen has raised €125,000 for two charitable causes in the northwest after travelling from Roscommon to Sydney on a pushbike.
The two-year test of cycling endurance took Guihen through 28 countries spread across three continents.
“Along the way, I navigated the remote valleys of Afghanistan, endured -20°C on the Tibetan Plateau and found myself followed by undercover police through the Taklamakan Desert in China,” Guihen commented this weekend after reaching his goal of Sydney.
“I was drugged and attacked in Iran, requiring seven stitches and later facing questioning over suspicions that I was a spy.
“I made it through all of those terrains and many more on the very same bike I left Roscommon on, armed with nothing more than the belief that I would rather try and fail than never try at all.”
The €125,000 in funds raised are to be split between the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and NorthWest STOP suicide prevention services, with both charities “extremely close” to Guihen’s heart.
Adventure
“I’ve arrived at Sydney Opera House, two years after leaving my home in Roscommon, travelling the full length of three continents and 28 countries,” he said.
“What I originally believed would take one year ultimately became a two-year adventure and, without question, the toughest thing I have ever done.
“The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation provided vital palliative care for my great-grandmother in the final days of her life.
“My aunt died by suicide when I was just four years old and, eight months into this journey, I was forced to return home after my first cousin passed away from suicide at the age of 28.”
The nurse said that he now plans to step off the saddle for a while, but will keep up his advocacy for the two charities.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation CEO Martina Jennings heralded Guihen’s feat as “incredible”.
“We have a big year ahead of us as we enter the planning stages for the Sunflower Children’s Hospice, the first of its kind on the western seaboard," she said.
“So many families will benefit from this service and all funds raised will make a huge difference to that project, as well as to Mayo and Roscommon Hospices, in order to keep them going.”
Read more
My Farming Week: Fergal Guihen, Arigna, Co Roscommon
SHARING OPTIONS