Cycling in Remembrance and Solidarity – Joe’s 100km Sponsored Cycle for Afri
Dear Afri supporter,
It has been one year since I stepped down as Coordinator and entrusted the running of Afri to Katie, Larysa and our excellent Board of Directors. They are doing a marvellous job, combining knowledge, passion and openness to new perspectives. I am deeply proud that Afri is in such capable hands.
For me, the first year of retirement has been emotional but also very positive as I adjust to a new reality. It wasn’t easy to step away from an organisation that I loved working with for over four decades, but I have no regrets, especially when I see how Afri continues to lead on some of the most critical issues facing our world today.
It has also been a year of personal challenges. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and underwent treatment in November. I continue to live with the effects of Transverse Myelitis, which I contracted in 2018. Although I was almost completely immobile at the time, I have made a good recovery. My mobility, however, remains limited, and I am only able to walk short distances – and slowly!
Alongside this, I have grieved the loss of my brother-in-law, Danny and three close friends and heroes, Franciscan Brendan Forde, Tom Hyland and Sunny Jacobs, all of whom passed away within the last two years. Retirement has therefore been bound up for me with both gratitude and loss.
In reflecting on how to honour these remarkable friends, who were so important in my life and so deeply connected with Afri, I have decided to set myself a challenge. This September, starting on the 15th. I will attempt to cycle the ’Famine Walk’ route five times in five days (plus an extra 10 km) to bring the total to 100 kilometres. With my ongoing health and mobility challenges, this will be a real test of stamina and determination.
I will cycle in memory of all those who died on the Doolough route in 1849 and all who perished needlessly during An Gorta Mór. I will cycle for those dying of hunger today in a world of plenty, especially the people of Gaza, who are being deliberately starved as part of the ongoing genocide. I will also cycle in memory of Brendan Forde, Tom Hyland, Sunny Jacobs and our late patron Desmond Tutu, each of whom walked with Afri in so many ways over the years. And I will cycle to contribute to the continuation of the great work of Afri.
Throughout my years with Afri, I was continually moved by the solidarity and generosity of our supporters. That support has carried Afri through many challenges and made possible the work for peace, justice and human rights that remains so urgent today.
Although I am no expert on social media, I will share updates on my progress through Afri, and I would be deeply grateful if you could once again lend your support by sponsoring my cycle.
With heartfelt thanks,
Joe Murray
Former Coordinator, Afri
