A director at a Specsavers store in Falmouth has completed a 330-mile cycling challenge sponsored by Specsavers stores across Northern Ireland.

Paul McGrane, an Armagh native who has been living in Cornwall for the past 20 years, took on the challenge as part of Tullylish GAC, a County Down GAA team, in support of the NI Children’s Hospice who provide care and support to children and families across Northern Ireland who are living with life-limiting illnesses.

One of the people receiving support from the Children’s Hospice is JJ Doran, the son of Paul’s friend Vincent, who was also part of the team taking on the challenge. JJ has cerebral palsy and life limiting disabilities due to brain injuries sustained at birth and the mission was named Giro d’JJ after him. The marathon fundraiser saw 30 intrepid cyclists tour the nine county GAA grounds of Ulster with Vincent scoring a point in each ground.

A total of over £84,000 has already been raised by Vincent and his team in JJ’s name through the Giro d’JJ, and the total is rising by the day.

All Specsavers businesses in Northern Ireland, which are owned and run locally by professional ophthalmic and retail partners, have been supporting the efforts of the team with principal sponsorship from the brand in Northern Ireland.

Starting off their challenge at Tullylish in County Down on Friday 20^th September, the team stopped off at various GAA grounds across Northern Ireland.

On each leg of his journey they were greeted by partners and team members from the supporting Specsavers stores who came out to show support for the fundraising mission, including in Portadown, Enniskillen, Omagh, Derry, Belfast Park Centre and Newry. After the final stop in Newry, the team completed their 330-mile cycle at the finish line in Irvinestown in County Fermanagh on Sunday 22^nd September.

Paul commented, ‘‘As a team, it has been amazing to combine our love for cycling and raise funds for the NI Hospice, a charity very close to the hearts of all who know and love JJ and the wider Doran family. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support us along the way. It was incredible to have the sponsorship and overwhelming support of Specsavers and it was great to see so many representatives from Specsavers stores across Northern Ireland cheering us on. It definitely lifted our spirits during some of the toughest parts of the challenge!’’

To support Paul’s challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/vincent-doran-1718185202817?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fvin

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