Ryan overcomes injury hurdles to complete London triathlon

THE Coyle family said they have received a lot of support in their bid to provide Darcy with the best care and to raise money for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.

And earlier this year one of Darcy’s cousins overcame huge hurdles to complete the London Triathlon in just two hours and 25 minutes - raising £1,300 for the hospice in the process.

Banbridge man Ryan Carson applied to take part in the triathlon last year, but didn’t expect to have to train while recovering from knee surgery and a snapped tendon. The Dromara Village footballer injured his knee on the pitch and, in the week he was due to have surgery to fix it, snapped a tendon in his thumb while at work.

The 28-year-old electrician admitted he’d had a run of bad luck but said he remained determined to complete the triathlon - even against medical advice.

Following a check-up on his knee some weeks later the surgeon wished Ryan luck as he set out to begin cycling, swimming and running in preparation for the marathon event.

“I was advised to rest but I really wanted to carry on with the triathlon so, when I felt well enough, I began swimming and had my hand in a cast on a float in the water,” he laughed. “When I first started running again I could really feel it in my knee but I carried on. During the event I didn’t really feel anything, it went well.”

Ryan said he was only too pleased to raise much-needed funds for such a good cause, especially in light of his cousin’s condition.

“I got a lot of sponsorship from local people and some of my work colleagues down in Belfast too,” he said, thanking everyone for their support.

Darcy’s mum Janet expressed her gratitude to her nephew for using the triathlon as an opportunity to raise funds to the hospice.

“The funding is so necessary and to have friends and family help out with fundraising is very much appreciated,” she said. “Our family has been so supportive from the very beginning and Ryan’s effort this year was just brilliant.”

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