Community rallies together to support Tadhg Carroll appeal

Doon's John Carroll has said he and his wife Edel were "blown away" by a benefit cycle for their son that took place recently. The total amount raised as a result of the 100km cycle won't be known for some weeks. However all sponsorship will go towards helping two year old Tadhg Carroll, who has been diagnosed with the rare condition Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC). "It couldn't have went any better," John, who took to the saddle himself for the challenge on August 4, said this week. Up on 200 cyclists joined to complete courses distancing 30km and 100km, with a start and end point in Tadhg's home village of Doon. Tadhg was just one of a large crowd that gathered in Doon to cheer the cyclists on, and though he was taken home before the party wrapped up John said he enjoyed it nonetheless. Support is something John is very appreciative of, and never more so than during his gruelling cycle. "It was a lot easier in the group," he said. "It was great to have the support." The 100km didn't come easy for new cyclist John, who said a break in Tullamore during the cycle was "very welcome" and every last kilometre was felt as he counted down to the finish line. He finished the course in approximately four and half hours, but rather than hanging up the cycling shorts for good he expects to continue what's turned into a real hobby. "I've done that much I'd like to think I'd keep it up," he said. Over and above his own feelings of fatigue, John said his overwhelming feelings were that he was humbled and honoured so many people got on board for the cause. Emotional at the cycle's end, he said the whole affair just showed "great community spirit". The charity cycle was launched two months ago with help from paralympian Mark Rohan, Offaly hurling star Johnny Dooley and the Sunday Game's Michael Duignan, with a view to provide financial assistance for Tadhg's needs into the future. His condition, which affects only six or seven people in Ireland, first reared its head when he was just six months old. At the beginning of this year he was officially diagnosed as suffering from AHC and currently has approximately two episodes each month that see him lose power in his body. It's impossible to predict the nature of future episodes, or indeed what Tadhg's future holds, as every AHC sufferer is affected differently. However at its most severe AHC sufferers can be unable to walk, have trouble talking and even need a dialysis machine. While Tadhg's future needs are as yet uncertain, locals involved with last weekend's event hope funds raised from it mean he'll want for nothing. Anyone who would like to donate to the cause can do so online by logging on to http://www.mycharity.ie/charity/friendsofahc/.