Laois duo to cycle Malin Head to Mizen Head for CJ’s Rainbow Charity

CJ McCann, from County Roscommon, was just 21-months-old when he lost his battle with ATRT (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor) — a rare and aggressive brain cancer — in October last year.

Now, his father Joe and 20 other volunteers will take on a Malin Head to Mizen Head cycle, with the funds raised going to Hand-in-Hand and Oscar’s Kids, two of the charities who helped to supported CJ and the McCann family.

“I decided during our time on St John’s (the national paediatric oncology ward), that I would fundraise for some of the charities that helped and supported us during one of the toughest times of our lives,” Joe McCann said.

“I wanted to do something that was a real challenge, so I chose Malin Head to Mizen Head, as Mizen to Malin has a perceived advantage as the prevailing winds are generally behind you.

“The way I saw it, CJ didn’t get the advantage of prevailing winds on his journey and he lived every day with a smile on his face.”

There is a strong Laois connection with brothers-in-law Richard McElwee and Dermot Donaghy taking part in the cycle, with the pair sponsored by McElwee’s Pharmacies.

Richard, CJ’s uncle, told LaoisToday about the cycle and reflected on what was a very tough time for the extended McCann family.

“It was quite a difficult time very everybody, but the way Niamh and Joe have approached it, they want to use CJ’s message to live life to the fullest, and that’swhat they did with CJ throughout” Richard said.

“Niamh has talked quite openly about how they would actually have loads of fun in the hospital and how they tried to make the most of every day.

“That being said, it was obviously very difficult for everybody. While Niamh and Joe were in hospital with CJ, CJ’s two sisters, Roisín and Clodagh were back and home trying to press on with life as normal.”

Richard’s wife Fionna is Niamh’s sister, and the family have been a unified front over the past couple of years.

This was born out again when Joe decided that he wanted to do something significant to pay homage to his son, CJ.

“I had originally signed up for the Dublin marathon, to do it for CJ,” Richard said.

“And then Joe decided in hospital that he wanted to do something; and Joe would be very much that type of person, who’d just want to get up and do.

“He then suggested the cycle; so we rounded up 21 cyclists – to represent every month of CJ’s life.”

The 21-strong team will attempt the 630km cycle in just four days, a massive undertaking for an amateur cycling group.

They begin at the most northerly point on August 22 and hope to arrive at Mizen Head on August 26.

Richard is keeping himself fit ahead of the bike, and even made an appearance at a junior football game recently.

“I go between Dublin and Killenard. My bike is in Killenard so I try to get out as often as I can.

“I actually turned out for Mountmellick a couple of weeks ago as well, so I’m still kicking ball.

“I’m hoping, over the summer, the fitter I get, I’d only love to get out and play a bit more.”

Richard will be joined by his brother-in-law, Dermot  Donaghy, the pharmacist in McElwee’s in Mountmellick.

“McElwee’s Total Pharmacies are sponsoring the both of us to take part, so that’s the way we’re contributing,” Richard said.

There will be facilities in the shops in Mountmellick to donate. Alternatively, those who wish to do so can donate here.

Hand-in-Hand is a national childhood cancer charity which supports families all over Ireland, helping them to cope with the impact of treatment on family life.

This support can include counselling, play therapy for children and their siblings, complementary therapies, hot meals, laundry, and domestic cleaning.

Oscar’s Kids supports families coping with a child’s terminal cancer diagnosis.

The charity aims to create moments of magic during the toughest of times, encouraging families to choose fun, adventure, magic, dreams, and memories in the time that the family has left with their child.

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