Griffin pedals towards €1m for cancer charities

FORMER Clare hurler Tony Griffin has raised over €300,000 after two weeks and 1,000km, of a charity cycle across Canada and Ireland.

Griffin lost his father, Jerome to cancer two years ago and is undertaking a 7,000km journey to honour his memory and to raise money and exposure for the Irish Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and Ovarian Cancer Canada. He hopes to raise €1 million and is already ahead of schedule.

“The goodwill of the people is awe-inspiring,” said Griffin who has attracted massive media exposure since beginning the trip two weeks ago.

“We are ambassadors for our cause and want to raise exposure for the fight against cancer,” continued Griffin who is writing an exclusive column for the Irish Examiner.

“We must choose to celebrate life.”

He outlined his daily schedule: “Wake, eat a breakfast prepared by the crew, get rubbed down by our massage therapist/driver/cyclist/funny man Rob Book and off we go. The daily average has been 145km per day, mostly mountainous and always breathtakingly scenic.

“What do I think about during the long days on a little carbon fibre Trek 5000?

“I think about why I am doing this day after day, I think of the many thousands of cancer survivors receiving their chemo, while I am blessed to be pedalling through God’s country. Mostly I think of how great life can be when you decide to celebrate being alive and choose your attitude and see the good in everyone and everything.”

To make a donation to the charity and to join Tony on the tour, visit www.tonygriffinfoundation.com.