Longford to Castlebar Motorbike run in memory of much loved 'little angel' Lucy Croghan (4)

A Longford to Castlebar motorbike run is being held on Saturday in memory of brave Lucy Croghan, who died after a courageous battle with cancer two years ago, in aid of Aoibheann's Pink Tie, the national children's charity.

Lucy Croghan, from An Choirrsceach, Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, was diagnosed with stage 4 Wilms tumour in one of her kidneys before Christmas 2021.

She underwent chemotherapy at Crumlin Children's Hospital, but she sadly passed away on June 26, 2023.

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The motorbike run is due to start in Longford at 12-midday with a stop in Frenchpark during the 114 kilometre journey and there is a €10 minimum donation per bike.

Mum Zara said Lucy, who she has dubbed their 'warrior princess', received incredible support from Aoibheann's Pink Tie, who provide practical and financial support to children suffering from cancer and their families.

She said she has been in touch with a member of the local Freewheelers MC club and he had spoken to a number of his fellow motorcyclists and she is expecting a group of them to participate.

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"Aoibheann's Pink Tie are amazing, the help they gave us from diagnosis, treatment and up until Lucy's last few days they were incredible.”

Lucy's parents, Zara and Sean and their family and friends completed a 65km charity walk from Frenchpark to Castlebar in memory of Lucy last summer as that was where she was initially treated.

“We organised a fundraiser called 'Lucy's Road to the Local' and between quite of us we walked from our home in Frenchpark to Castlebar in 10km stints.

"Myself and Lucy's father Sean, one of us was on the road at all times and this year we were speaking to one of the bikers and he put me in touch with Frank from Freewheelers and we just organised it from there."

Zara said it is not just confined to motorbikes and any vehicles can take part.

"It's from Longford to Castlebar via Frenchpark because that is Lucy's road to the local [hospital], but you could not expect lads from around the country to start in Frenchpark and drive just 40 minutes to Castlebar, they could have been driving four hours to get there."

"We are trying to raise awareness as well, I had no idea about childhood cancer until Lucy was diagnosed."

Zara, who said there was good camraderie on the fundraising walk from Frenchpark to Castlebar last year, is expecting there will be a positive atmosphere on the day.

She said the motorbike run will also drive through Swinford town.

"The motivation is normally high on the day.

“We do something anyways and herself keeps us going," she added.

A promotional poster reads, 'In memory of our little angel Lucy' and it states, 'All support is greatly appreciated'.

The link to the idonate page for anyone who would like to support the fundraiser is here htttps://www.idonate.ie/LucysRoadToTheLocalWalk