Diocesan News
Saul parishioner raises over £11,000 for MAF
It’s National Volunteers Week and we’re celebrating an extraordinary amateur cyclist who has raised more than £11,000 for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and volunteered for the charity for more than 50 years.
Greer Lowe (above, far right), who is a member of the Select Vestry in Saul, marked his 75th birthday on 1 May by cycling a 75–mile route along the County Down coast and Ards Peninsula in aid of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). MAF is the world’s largest humanitarian airline and delivers aid to some of the world’s most remote communities.
Greer, who describes himself as ‘fairly new’ to cycling, gathered a team of local cyclists from the Downpatrick area to complete a challenging route between Strangford and Dundrum. For some, this was the longest cycle ride they had ever completed, all had volunteered their time during the winter lockdown to train for the event.
Participating in MAF’s 7&5 challenge – a fundraising campaign to honour the charity’s 75th anniversary – Greer decided to mark his special birthday and celebrate MAF’s by setting an ambitious £7,500 fundraising target. The team have been overwhelmed by support from the local community and fundraising has far exceeded what they thought was an impossible target. To date, the team has raised over £11,227 towards the airline’s life–saving work.
Greer has volunteered and supported MAF for over 50 years, having developed a keen interest in aviation from a young age. He is particularly fond of the charity because his son, Jonathan Lowe, has been a mission pilot with MAF in Timor Leste, and Arnhem Land, Northern Australia, for over a decade. Having visited Jonathan on a number of occasions, Greer describes the unique MAF flying experience as “spectacular”.
With a fleet of 123 light aircraft, MAF delivers humanitarian personnel, medical cargo and carries out disaster relief operations in remote or inaccessible communities across 25 developing countries. The charity was founded in the aftermath of WWII by a handful of RAF veterans, and now flies to more remote destinations than any other airline.
1000 miles
Departing Strangford at 7:50am on Saturday 1 May in keeping with the ‘7&5 theme’, the charity cyclists took the 8.00 am ferry and completed a 25–mile route around the southern Ards Peninsula before returning to Strangford and cycling to Dundrum and back, crossing their finish line at 4.00 pm. During the day, the team cycled over 1,000 miles for the cause.
Greer said, “I’m overjoyed that we have exceeded our target – and I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported us so far.
“I’m also proud of the guys and girls who completed the bike ride with me – it was a great day and the conditions were on our side. This will certainly be a birthday to remember!”
Ruth Whitaker, CEO at MAF–UK, said, “Greer and his cycling team have truly gone the extra mile in cycling a very challenging distance and for raising such an impressive amount for MAF. It’s heartening to see people joining from across the world to support MAF and mark Greer’s birthday – Greer is truly an exceptional volunteer. From everyone at MAF, a very big thank you to everyone who volunteered, cycled, donated and supported this memorable event.”
To support Greer’s fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greer–lowe
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
dco@downdromorediocese.org