When the Joe-ing gets tough

An ultra-cyclist is set to pass through Cork county several times in his bid to beat a Guinness world record after bad weather pulled the brakes on his first attempt.

This coming week, former professional cyclist Joe Barr will try to beat the current record of 3,580 km in 168 hours currently held by Scottish cyclist Josh Quigley.

The challenge was originally set to take place in April but had to be postponed due to dangerous weather conditions.

Joe, 62, is undertaking the mammoth challenge as a tribute to his son, Ross,15, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2007. His efforts will raise much needed funds for Cancer Fund for Children (CFFC) and its plans for a new therapeutic short break centre, Daisy Lodge, in Cong, Co Mayo.

Daisy Lodge will provide respite for children with a cancer diagnosis and their families and is due to be built on the shores of Lough Corrib near the village of Cong in county Mayo.

Joe’s chosen route will take him from Malin Head in Donegal to Mizen Head in Cork, passing through Londonderry, Strabane, Enniskillen, Longford, Athleague, Nenagh, Limerick, Charleville, Kanturk and Dunmanway along the way.

Speaking in the build-up to his attempt, Joe said: “Every family in Ireland with a cancer diagnosis should have the opportunity to experience Daisy Lodge, It’s a fantastic place. Whenever you go down there, they just do everything for you, so effectively it's a home from home and it allowed us to be together as a ‘normal’ family again and that’s why I’m so motivated to raise as much funds as I can.”

Joe’s son Ross was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 5 months old with a malignant brain tumour. In the early years of Ross’s cancer diagnosis, he and his family were invited to Cancer Fund For Children’s short break centre for some respite from the constant hospital appointments, tests and treatments and all that goes with a cancer diagnosis in the family.

The planned centre in Mayo is inspired by a similar centre in county Down which currently supports 450 families a year.

CFFC CEO Phil Alexander said: “We are so grateful to Joe for helping to raise funds for such a life-changing facility for children and their families. At CFFC we understand that behind every childhood cancer diagnosis there is a whole family affected, and beyond the essential medical care there is a family life that needs to be rebuilt. A new Daisy Lodge in Mayo would mean so much to these families.”