Ballymena man cycling across Northern Ireland for Pancreatic Cancer

Ballymena resident Ricardo Ponte

A Ballymena man is joining a 10-strong team taking on a gruelling 480-mile cycling challenge across Northern Ireland to help raise money for pancreatic cancer.

Ricardo Ponte, who lives in Ballymena and works for Beaumont Care Homes, will be completing this year’s Pedal the Periphery — a major fundraiser organised by Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer (NIPANC). The challenge will see 20+ teams from across Northern Ireland cycle the full perimeter of the country in just 48 hours.

The cause is particularly close to the hearts of Ricardo and his teammates. Their team name — The Beaumont Roykets — is a heartfelt tribute to Roy McLaughlin, the late husband of Susan McLaughlin, Ricardo’s close colleague and Care Quality Manager at Beaumont Care Homes.

Susan lost her first husband, Colin Cooke, to pancreatic cancer — a loss that led her to become a founding member of NIPANC, dedicated to improving early detection and raising awareness of the disease.

Her second husband, Roy, who sadly passed away late last year, stood proudly by her side through all her work with the charity and was equally devoted to the charity’s mission.

Team The Beaumont Roykets

“We’re doing this for Roy, for Susan, for Colin, and for everyone affected by this cruel disease,” said Ricardo.

“It’s an honour to be part of the team and represent Ballymena in such an important campaign. We’re not professional cyclists — we’re carers, nurses, managers and admin staff — but we’re giving it our all because we’ve seen the devastating impact of pancreatic cancer up close.

“Northern Ireland has one of the worst five-year survival rates in the world, so it’s vital that we raise both awareness and funds to help change that.”

Each member of the Beaumont Roykets team will cycle up to 48 miles, collectively covering the full 480-mile route. With a timeline of 48 hours, they’ll have to cycle around the clock and through the night to complete the challenge.

Pancreatic cancer receives five times less funding than many other common cancers, and is often diagnosed far too late for treatment to be effective.

Shockingly, three out of five patients could have had life-saving surgery if their cancer had been detected earlier.

That’s why Pedal the Periphery is about more than just fundraising — it’s about shining a light on a disease that’s severely underfunded in Northern Ireland, raising awareness, and helping people recognise the symptoms before it’s too late.

Taking place this June, Ricardo and his team are already training hard — and urging the local community to back them.

To support the Beaumont Roykets and find out more, please tap here.