A Co Armagh pensioner who has raised more than £1 million over the past five decades for charity has completed his latest fundraiser inspired by St Patrick.
While other charity efforts were about breaking crazy world records, the latest venture by Willie Nugent (76) simply involved his bike.
The 76-year-old saddled up on Wednesday and cycled from St Patrick’s Grave in Downpatrick to St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh.
The pensioner said he wanted to raise money for the cathedral’s 150th anniversary appeal.
No stranger to fundraising for various local charities such as AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and animal charities, he has used his imagination, humour and determination in his various fundraising efforts.
Known for his unusual world record attempts over the years, these have included pushing a pea with his nose for two-and-a-half-miles and crawling around Armagh’s Mall for 14 miles on his hands and knees.
Mt Nugent was awarded a place in the Guinness Book of Records in 1985 for standing motionless for 13 hours in a shop window in Piccadilly, London.
He has also visited 21 dog shelters around the world to raise money for animal welfare charities as part of his Shaking Paws Around the World challenge.
Earlier this year, Mr Nugent received the Points of Light award from then-British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for his ongoing charity efforts.
Mr Nugent said his latest challenge was inspired by a love of cycling, which began when he was 13 when he rode his bike for John Farrell’s grocery shop in Railway Street in Armagh.
On Wednesday, he set out from St Patrick’s Grave in Downpatrick at 11am, arriving at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh at 4 30pm.
Speaking after completing the cycle run, he said “everything went well” with more than £3,000 already raised.
“Many thanks to everyone who have supported my cycle to date, a special thank you to my nephew Jim Nugent who accompanied me all the way in his van with refreshments and a spare bike in case l got a puncture,” he said.
“There is still time to donate either via the parish office or my GoFundMe page.
“l will know early next week the total amount raised, thanks to everyone who have donated so far.”.
