Saintfield man retraces brother’s delivery route in Ireland
By Joe McCann
A SAINTFIELD man has cycled the length of Ireland and back in a week in memory of his brother who passed away from a rare eye cancer in 2023.
Iain Dickson began the 520 mile journey from his brother Stuart Dickson’s old place of employment, Flanagan Flooring in Saintfield. The route to Co. Cork and back was chosen as that was the route that Stuart drove regularly when he worked for the firm and also reflected his lifelong love of cycling.
Stuart, who was diagnosed with ocular melanoma in 2021, had a passion for cycling and also enjoyed driving his lorry and the freedom of the open road.
His wife Sharon and his brother Iain called in to visit many of Stuart’s old work acquaintances on the way down to Co Cork and back again and as a further tribute, Iain also completed the cycle on Stuart’s old bicycle and in his cycling shoes.
Sharon said: “In 2021, Stuart went to Specsavers to get his normal routine eye test done and he was diagnosed with cancer of the eye, ocular melanoma.
“He eventually lost the eye, which unfortunately meant he could no longer work as a driver for Flanagan Flooring in Saintfield. He did their southern run for them and would frequently drive the whole way down to Cork and back up again, the whole length of Ireland.
“Unfortunately, just two years later, he passed away. The cancer had spread to his liver and his spine. He ended up in a wheelchair for six months before he passed away.
“Stuart was always very close with his brother Iain and they both cycled together a lot as teenagers and were in a cycling club in Newtownards and did a bit of racing. When Stuart passed away, Iain wanted to do something as a tribute and to raise some money for Ocular Melanoma who are a very understated charity and the cancer itself is very rare.”
Sharon continued, stating herself and fellow family members also joined in and accompanied Iain on various legs of the journey.
“I was down for a bit and Iain’s wife was down for a few days and my daughter Cara met him for the last leg of his journey from Castlebellingham in Co. Louth up to Banbridge and then onto Flanagan Flooring in Saintfield.
“It’s such an achievement what Iain has done, not only for Stuart and the charity but also for himself. My mother-in-law, Stuart and Iain’s mum, passed away in June so it’s been a tough couple of years for everybody.”
Sharon added that the cycle had now raised just under £15,000 and was very close to meeting its £16,000 initial target. To follow Iain’s journey you can visit www.gofundme.com/f/stuarts-legacy-ride
