By Faith Eagar
Six local staff members from Beaumont Care Homes are preparing to take on a gruelling 480-mile cycle challenge around Northern Ireland this June — all to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer.
As part of the Pedal the Periphery event, organised by NIPANC (Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer charity), the 10-person team will join over 20 other groups in cycling the full perimeter of the country — all within just 48 hours.
The team, named the Beaumont Roykets, honours Roy McLaughlin, the late husband of Care Quality Manager Susan McLaughlin. Roy, like Susan’s first husband Colin Cooke, sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer. Susan is a founding member of NIPANC and a tireless advocate for early detection and awareness.
Among the local team members taking part are Laura and Neil Patterson from Killyleagh, Rachel Downing from Holywood, and Marie Coulter, Francis Montuya, and Herald Sabu from Bangor.
“We’re doing this for Roy, for Susan, and for everyone affected by this cruel disease,” said Laura Patterson, manager of Clandeboye Care Home. “Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates in the world — we need to change that.”
Despite not being professional cyclists, the Roykets — made up of carers, nurses, managers, and admin staff — are determined to complete the challenge, riding day and night to meet the 48-hour goal.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the least funded and most deadly cancers, with late diagnoses often making treatment ineffective. Early detection could drastically increase survival rates, yet awareness remains low.
The Beaumont Roykets are now training hard and calling on their local communities for support.
Support their journey and learn more here:
👉 https://nipanc.enthuse.com/pf/the-beaumont-roykets
