‘Grandy Bonkers’ goes Cork-Dublin return on his bike

A 70-YEAR-OLD grandfather yesterday completed a lifetime’s ambition by cycling from Cork to Dublin and back in just two days.

Shortly before 6pm last night, with a Garda escort supporting him in the final stages, Gerry Rea completed the marathon cycle at Cork’s City Hall.

Mr Rea, from Bishopstown in Cork, undertook the challenge to raise money for the ACARA Lesotho Build project, which is building a safe house/halfway house in southern Africa for orphans at high risk and for children affected by and infected with HIV/Aids.

He chose the charity because his niece is one of the two founding members.

Niece Colette said: “His grandchildren call him ‘Grandy Bonkers’, and by doing the cycle challenge proves they are somewhat right. I take my hat off to you, Gerry, and thank you with all my heart for supporting us in this way.”

You can make a donation to the charity by sending a cheque to ACARA Lesotho Build Project at its headquarters at 20 Stephen Street Lower, Dublin 2.