McGee delighted with support at McCormack’s fundraising day
Bike racer Derek McGee has expressed his thanks to Kevin Fitzpatrick and the staff at McCormack’s Bar in Castlepollard for hosting a fundraiser for him and for the Injured Bikers Fund.
Derek was present on the day, chatting to well-wishers and fans, who were enjoying a lively afternoon (including the Munster hurling final) and evening at McCormack’s.
The bike he was riding when he crashed and fractured his arm a few weeks ago, the ex-Ten Kate Racing Yamaha R6, had been repaired and was on display at McCormack’s.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, proprietor of McCormack’s, and his colleagues were busy on the day, serving drinks, making the sure the cooking for the BBQ was in progress, keeping an eye on the children in for the face painting and bouncy castle, part of the family fun day.
Kevin is sponsoring Derek’s racing this year, and he was delighted to see him back at home, and recovering well from the injury. He said he has had great time for Derek since he worked with his son, Sean Fitzpatrick, in the same truck maintenance workshop some years ago.
“Derek looked after him very well, so I decided I’d give something back to him because he gave something to me,” he said.
Kevin also has fond memories of when the Fore Motorcycle Races were held in north Westmeath; he remembers working in the local hotel back then and seeing the Square in Castlepollard full of bikes, as fans came from far and wide for the racing.
“I just want to see motorbikes back in [this part of] Westmeath. I want to see them back in Fore, back in Castlepollard.”
“I remember that square out there and it was full of tents and full of bikes. I worked at the Pollard Arms, though it wouldn’t have been the Pollard Arms at the time, and I remember seeing the likes of Joey Dunlop and all them guys. They’d been all there.
“Today, what we’re trying to do is raise a few pound for Derek, raise a few pound for the Injured Bikers Fund and for Fore Motorbike Club as well, to try and get motorbikes back into Westmeath.
“Hopefully, we can do this more often – and have racing back – that’s our goal.
“Our other goal is to see this man up and going and get him back, if he gets through that injury.”
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner on the day, Derek said: “Thank you very much to Kevin for running the fundraiser and especially to the bar staff, who did a great job.
“I really appreciate the support I got on the night.”