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56newsMid Ulster Truckers Drive – and Walk – For CharityIt’s been a busy year already for Mid Ulster Truckers, and it is going to get busier still, with the group planninga major truck festival for the end of May; they’ve already staged a very successful Golf Classic in Castledawsonand a sponsored walk – all in aid of their chosen charity for 2012, the Mid Ulster Multiple Sclerosis Branch.The 220 mile long walk,which began at Magherafeltand passed through 27 townsand villages, was led by MartinBradley, Martin Downey, SeanMartin, Sydney Collins and MickeyKelly and to date has raisedover £10,000, with money stillcoming in as we went to Press.“Every year we hold a truckfestival, but because of thechallenging economic climatewe decided this year to giveGetting ready for the offan additional boost to ourfund raising efforts with thewalk which certainly tookus outside of our comfortzone,” said Martin Bradley.Each day of the week-long walk,the team covered on average30 miles, with the first stopfrom Magherafelt at Carnlough,followed by Ballycastle,Portstewart, Ballykelly, Strabane,Ballygawley, Cookstown andthen back to Magherafelt. Thewalkers were frequently joinedalong the way by local supportersin each of the towns andvillages they passed through.Free overnight accommodationand breakfast for the walkerswas kindly provided by theLondonderry Arms, CorrataveyHouse, Drummond Hotel, FirTrees Hotel, Askins Guest House,and the Glenavon House Hotel.“We very much appreciatedtheir generosity,” said Martin,who added that footwear forthe walkers was also providedby Sportique in Magherafelt,with Rocwell supplying muchneeded bottled water, whileCathcart’s supermarket inMagherafelt offered snacks toboost their energy levels!Truck FestMeanwhile, plans are welladvanced for the group’s annualTruck Festival being held over theBank holiday week-end of May26th and May 27th; last year’sevent raised £67,000 for charityand the organisers are hopingto at least match that total.Saturday’s programme willprovide an excellent day out forthe whole family, with plenty tokeep the children occupied atthe Sperrin View Business Parkat the bottom of the GlenshanePass, near Maghera; the day willend with a dance and barbecue,the main guest being the oneand only May McFeterridge.Sunday will see a Truck Convoy;last year it attracted around 115trucks. The convoy, which willcover about 30 miles, begins atthe Sperrin View Business Parkand then proceeds to Maghera,Castledawson, Magherafelt,Moneymore, Desertmartin,Draperstown, Tobermoreand back to Magherafelt.There are a number of Prizecategories for trucks entered inthe show, such as Best in Show,Best working lorry, Best rigid, Bestvintage truck and Peoples’ choice.Adds Martin. “Any funds weraise throughout 2012 will goto the Mid Ulster MS branch. Itis a very worthy cause indeed asthis condition can strike anyone,at any age and affects so manypeople in our local area, andall over Northern Ireland.”Irvinestown Truck Convoy Marks 12th AnniversaryThe Irvinestown Truck Convoy, part of the Lady of the Lake Festival, celebrates its 12thanniversary this year; to date it has raised in excess of £400,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.L-R: Joe Mahon – Event Organiser, SeanMcArdle – MT Waste, event sponsor, SheenaHavlin – Fundraising Manager with MarieCurie, Richard O’Loughlin – Stena, eventsponsor, Jimmy O Boyle – Event Organiser,and George Gordon – Event OrganiserThis summer’s event starts onJuly 20th, with a late night festivalof lights, and following a Saturdayof fun and craic, including eveningentertainment by Hugo Duncanand guests, scores of lorrieswill drive in convoy for 60 milesaround the lakes of Fermanagh.If you want to take part in theconvoy, you need to sign upnow; registration will cost you£40, which includes automaticentry to the Truck Competitionwhich is being run in associationwith sponsor MT Waste.Organiser George Gordon said:“Irvinestown Truck festival goesfrom strength each year. After11 successful years, we havemany drivers who return eachyear, and each year new driversare joining us. I would appeal toall those planning to attend, tomake time and put effort intogetting sponsorship to take part.“The event is a fun time for thedrivers but the priority is to raiseas much money as possible forMarie Curie Cancer Care. We areall well aware it is difficult outthere at the minute economically.However when someone isterminally ill and being cared forin their final days, by a MarieCurie Nurse in their own home,they do not have the luxury oftime. They need immediate care.”Sheena Havlin Marie CurieFundraising Manager said “Thisevent continues to grow thanksto the year round hard work ofall involved. This year we aredelighted to have the supportof MT Waste and Stena LineFreight. We are also very gratefulto our media partner Export andFreight who are instrumental inpromoting the event every year.”To register to take part, orto volunteer as a collector,please contact Sheena Havlinat Marie Curie Cancer Care on02882249888 or email sheena.havlin@mariecurie.org.ukMid Ulster Truckers Charity Walk 1pg.indd 56 09/05/2012 12:52