Tractors, trucks, bicycles and cars invited on Laois road run in aid of Mellon Educate volunteers

Tractors, trucks, cars and bicycles are all welcome to a Laois charity run on Sunday, May 4 on the Bank Holiday weekend.

It is in aid of a South African humanitarian mission by Clonaslee trio Ray Delaney, Pat Carroll and John Joe Heaney.

Pat spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"We would love to see people from the local surrounding areas in Laois and Offaly coming to support it. There has been nothing like this in Clonaslee in recent years. I am in the Clonaslee High Nelly club and they are helping us out, so if anyone want a High Nelly bicycle for the run they will provide it," he said.

The trucks and cars will go on a route taking in Rosenallis, Mountmellick and Killeigh. The tractors will tour out the Tullamore Road to Killurin and Killoghy. The bicycles will take a more local route.

Afterwards there will be tea and sandwiches and a charity auction in a marquee in the square, with MC RockOnPaddy and live music.

The men are heading back to South Africa this year with the Mellon Educate Building Blitz, to build a school for children in the poverty stricken black townships. They have gone multiple times in the past. Read about their trip in 2023.

"It's an eye opener. It's my third trip. I get a real buzz out of it. You see people with absolutely nothing, yet the kids are always in good form. They have hardly enough to eat, they get breakfast and lunch in the schools. Education is the way forward for them, no doubt in the world. Seeing what we built when we return, I can see that the kids definitely benefit," Pat said.

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Each volunteer has to raise €4,250 each which is used for flights, accommodation and building materials. 

They are also taking donations of scrap and clothes. 

Registration is from 1:30 pm. Runs start from 3 pm. Tractors and cars €20 and trucks €30. All funds will be put towards Mellon Educate. Contact Ray Delaney 087-299-6778, Pat Carroll 087-254-5187, John Joe Heaney 087-649-2038.