John Matthews with his late mother, Kathleen.

3,400-mile bike ride in memory of Straide native

THE son of a Straide native is undertaking a 3,400-mile bike ride across America to raise awareness and fund research for lung cancer in memory of his late mother.

John Matthews will set out on his Ride Hard Breathe Easy campaign from Philadelphia to San Francisco on August 24.

John's mother, Kathleen Matthews (nee O'Connor), was a native of Straide, who emigrated to the US in 1955. Many locals will remember her sister, the late Mrs. Ann Maloney, Ballyvary.

Supporting John back 'home' in Mayo, a pub quiz will take place next Tuesday, August 22, in The Copper Beech lounge, Straide, at 9 p.m. Proceeds will be in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and the Ride Hard Breathe Easy campaign in the USA. All support is appreciated.

John's bike ride begins from SAP in Newtown Square, PA, and is scheduled to finish at the Golden Gate Bridge on October 14. Full details on the journey, campaign, and how to donate, are on rhbe.org, with links there to twitter and Facebook.

On December 10, 2011, Kathleen Matthews succumbed to lung cancer. During her illness, her family learned all too well the realities of the disease – the pain, the suffering, the prognosis, and the stigma.

'Kathleen's Krew' began their fundraising mission at the first Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation 5k in Philadelphia in October 2011. This team of friends and family has since raised more than $80,000 in her honour.