It’s not just about the bike. But it is about the cycle.
The lessons of a series of efforts for charity are profound for Paul Muldoon, a 44-year-old Glaswegian. Amongst the larger projects, he has cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats, Ballymote in Sligo to Celtic Park and from Glasgow to Lisbon.
He has cycled as a Santa from London to Scotland to deliver presents to children in hospital. He has pedalled furiously and productively. His cycling has raised around £150,000 for charity.
It is a marvellous achievement but Paul points to the satisfaction of giving back and to the cycle of renewal. “I was brought into this in 2009,” he says of life in the charity saddle. “But now that I have the experience of organising and taking part in events, it is good to recruit others and see them join in. It means the efforts can live on and grow.”
He admits to great satisfaction in raising money for Celtic FC Foundation.
“It is the centre of the club, what Celtic is all about,” he says. “I would love every Celtic fan to have a full appreciation of what the Foundation does.”
Paul Muldoon
His passion for the club has been enhanced by his fundraising efforts. “My first charity cycle was through to Edinburgh from Glasgow in 2009,” he says. “But my first involvement with the Foundation was in 2012.”
One of his lifetime highlights was a ride from Ballymote, the home of Brother Walfrid, to Celtic Park in that year.
“The kindness and passion of Celtic FC Foundation’s staff has always impressed me,” he says. “They help make fundraising so satisfying for the supporter. When we arrived from Ballymote at Celtic Park there was fluffy towels available, a warm shower and a very special shirt for all of us, even for my dad, the support driver.”
The journey from Sligo was followed in 2017 by the Road to Lisbon.
The Lisbon trip ended at the Estadio Nacional on the 50th anniversary of the club’s greatest achievement. “There is the sense of satisfaction at completing the task but there is a joy at helping the Foundation,” he says.
“This, I suppose, was a dream for all of us who took part. But the reality is that money is raised to help those in need. When I met Foundation staff after the cycle, we signed off on the precise amount raised: £73,616.68.”
The cash was split between three charities: Celtic FC Foundation, Solving Kids Cancer and Children in Crossfire.
To top of this incredible accomplishment, the intrepid cyclists took at half-time bow during the match against Hibernian on September 30, 2017.
