Tom Eustace’s friends in Oz arrange charity cycle
Tom Eustace: back home
FORMER teammates, friends and fellow Carlovians are set to gather in the Sydney sunshine on Saturday morning to cycle in support of Tom Eustace, the young Castlemore man who suffered a serious accident while attending a friend’s wedding in Rome, Italy in early June.
Tom travelled home to Ireland last week, where he continues his recovery in a spinal ward at a Dublin hospital.
The organiser of the 100km cycle, James Connolly, is a childhood friend of Tom’s, having attended primary school in Rathoe together, with the pair also being teammates with The Fighting Cocks football club. James, who is based in Sydney, says his friend is “one of the most genuine, nice fellas” he knows and that, although far from home, he was motivated to do anything he could to help support his friend.
Around 25 people are due to take part in the fundraising cycle, including former Carlow County footballer, Éire Óg’s Eoghan Ruth, who is making the trip from Melbourne, with others flying in from Brisbane and Perth to participate.
The group will meet at the iconic Sydney Opera House at 6.30am and set off at sunrise, expected to be 6.45am, and will make the 100km trip south to Wollongong. The toughest part of the cycle is anticipated to be the Royal National Park, with its many hills, but the cyclists will be ably supported by a team of support vehicles to assist with breakdowns and punctures.
James says that while “obviously the money will be needed for Tom’s recovery, I think the number of lads taking part and taking five-hour flights to participate is a sign of Tom’s character and the friends he has all over the world, so hopefully that will give him a bit of a boost when he sees some of the pictures and videos”.
The aim is to raise €10,000 to add to the over €200,000 already raised by Tom’s family and friends, which will go directly towards medical expenses, rehabilitation and therapy and any unforeseen expenses related to Tom’s care and recovery. Those wishing to help can do so via GoFundMe Me ‘Cycle-For-Tom’.
