A Fabulous message has arrived today at Jack & Jill:
Hi there Jack & Jill. Just writing to let you know I did the Garda cycle Dublin to Kilkenny cycle on March 9th this year. I thoroughly enjoyed it and managed to raise over €700 on and off line through mycharity.ie my page will close on June 1st. Recently I also did a comedy night and raised a further €225.
Biking was a new hobby I took up for the Garda cycle, i began training 3-4 times a week in feburary and it proved to be a consistent battle between me and my bike and with mother nature and all her elements. But each day on my bike as I struggled it would make me think of all the J&J families out there that needed help!!
In attempt to raise money and relay the struggles Jack & Jill family face my brother and I made up this poem:
“On yer bike and get out of Dublin.
Over the Liffey and out through Crumlin.
But I have no bike nor do I want one.
A four wheel drive, was what my heart was set on.
It’s for a good cause, they really need it.
So saddle up Maureen, it’s time to get fit.
This rain is a pain and that winds not fair,
My bum’s giving out and don’t look at my hair!
Look, there goes Jack, there goes Jill.
They’re passing you out, it’s only a hill.
It’s only a hill? It looks like a mountain!
It’s been 48 minutes, I’ve given up counting.
They’ve given up time and given their phones in,
So pedal to the metal and quit your moaning.
Now you’re in for a pound as well as a penny.
You’ll never be so happy to see old Kilkenny.
For Jack and for Jill and for their foundation,
I’ll gladly pedal across this nation.
So be it a penny or be it a pound,
Help my charity stay above ground.”
I think both Jack & Jill family’s and your organisation and the people out there that fundraise can relate to this poem and hopefully it would be an eye opener for other people out there to get involved. I am a paediatric nurse and really admire all the work you do. It often brings a tear to my eye. May I take this opportunity to congratulate you all on your amazing hard work!
All the best
Maureen Blanchfield x
If you feel inspired by Maureen’s poem and wish to take on a similar biking challenge check our Jack & Jill Kilkenny Cycle (September 14th) – registrations now open!
