The Gallagher Group has been closely associated with Demelza for the last few years, in particular, the 2014 Demelza 101 cycle ride from Sittingbourne to Paris, where the collective sum of £20,000.00 was achieved. So when Demelza’s chief fundraiser asked Steve Gallagher if he wanted to put forward a team for the 2nd Demelza 101, it was
easy to find five willing “volunteers” who were prepared to cycle 350 miles from Sittingbourne to Amsterdam.

That was back in October 2015, since then the ‘’volunteers’’ have become slightly less ‘willing’ with excuses such as a ‘broken hip’ and ‘wedding nuptials’ accounting for two intrepid explorers withdrawing from the event.

We are now left with ‘3 Dam Fools’ (like the pun) to complete and maintain the Gallagher honour.

With two young children, Stephen Gallagher, the self-appointed Captain, is finding it hard to find the time to train but hopefully he will come up trumps in April. Our Heavyweight companion will inevitably enjoy the downhill sections far more than the ‘up’s’. Steve has a successful sporting history to rely on and once captained the under 7’s in
Primary School and should therefore be able to keep the assembled rabble in some order. Being the youngest of the Gallagher family, will inevitably, pay dividends with organizing the daily post cycle rest and recuperation sessions required for such a grueling 4-day adventure.

Richard Harrison is the oldest of the lot and is constantly moaning about his declining fitness levels and various ailments. Over the past few years, he has been gradually falling apart and had to give up all the sports he used to enjoy, such as squash (couldn’t see the ball anymore) running (knackered knees) and cricket (bad back- mind you there
are some that would say ‘no loss’). Recent training rides do not bode well with a recent encounter with a ‘parked’ car in Faversham accounting for a £500.00 repair bill to both body, vehicle and cycle. However, having completed the ‘walk of shame’, retrieved the ripped off wind mirror and return it to the disgruntled owner a promise of sponsorship was received.

Our final participant is no other than the infamous Keith ‘Wally’ Watkins.  Cries of ‘Where’s Wally’ will be ringing out amongst the Peloton, with our Demelza virgin sheltering hiding behind the ‘work horses’ at the front of the pack only to sprint clear with the finishing line in sight to claim victory. Keith, likewise, claims to be below fitness required but has had no problem with completing a gruelling 85-mile training run, leaving Harrison behind to fend off Ford Focus owner!

Reading the above, it is clear to see why Demelza needs our help!

The current cold weather has been a great excuse to say it is hindering their training regime, not to mention the lack of ability, but they are confident they will get there in the end- after all Monday is a Bank Holiday in Amsterdam too.

Demelza needs to raise in excess of £8 million a year to sustain two centers, the one in Sittingbourne and the other in Eltham, South East London.

The team will be very thankful for any donations received, big or small, and all the money raised will be gratefully received by Demelza, enabling them to carry on their incredible work.

Oh, we should also say that the original Demelza members have not totally forgotten us, they have kindly booked a two-night stay in Amsterdam the day before we arrive and should be in the departure airport by the time we cross the finish line….