St Brendan’s Christmas Bike-a-thon Challenge to raise funds for charity

MEMBERS of the clergy in Birr are preparing for a Christmas Charity Fundraising event this weekend.

The clergy of the Christian Churches Together in Birr meet regularly to plan and enjoy some shared ecumenical ministry. They comprise of the Very Revd Tom Hogan, PP and The Revd Fr Anthony Sajeesh of St Brendan’s Roman Catholic Church, The Revd Nigel Gill of the Methodist Church, Mr John Bulfin of New Life Church and Revd Arthur Minion, rector, of the Church of Ireland in Birr.

They are organising an event which they plan to hold each year as a joint endeavour to raise some funds for people in need over Christmas in the Birr area: the St Brendan's Christmas Bike-a-thon Challenge.

This will be a support to other established and recognised charitable work in the area. The charities they are supporting this year are: St Vincent de Paul, Offaly Healthy Homes Meals on Wheels and the Birr branch (Chesterfield Close) of Avista: Supporting People with Disabilities.

The Bike-a-thon will take place on Friday December 9th and Saturday December 10th 2022 (the traditional official shopping weekend for Christmas) from 8am to 8pm each day in Emmet Square. They will have some stationary bikes/exercise bikes on site for the bike-a-thon.

They extend their appreciation to the Municipal District of Birr and An Garda Siochána for their support and guidance.

They invite people to make contact if you or an organisation with which you are involved can help them out. Each day is divided into 36 cycle slots of 20 minutes each. All help in filling a cycle slot rota on Emmet Square will be much appreciated from politicians to sports organisations, drama players to schools, dance groups to County Councillors, journalists to clergy, walkers to talkers, adults and children, there is room for all. The clergy will be available to fill in and help people with cycle slots and 'meet and greet' people.

Donations may be made in collection buckets available on site.