Safe Cycling for all the Family

Here at Variety Ireland, one of our core values is ensuring that children from across the disability spectrum are provided with equal access to cycling. With special thanks to Minister Anne Rabbitte and The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, we are able to support funding for special mobility trikes so children regardless of their disability can have access to experience the joys of cycling with their family and friends. Here’s yet another “thank you” note we received from a young lady’s mother in Co Meath who received support funding for a special bike so she can cycle on the the beautiful greenways of Ireland.

“Dear Variety Ireland,

Méabh has complex epilepsy, which causes frequent seizures.  She loves cycling but had to stop riding her bike because of the danger of falling off.  She received her trike from Variety Ireland a few weeks ago with special help from Minister Anne Rabbitte who is fully supporting their Recycle Mobility Programme which gives children with disabilities the opportunity to be included in cycling activities with their family and friends. Méabh is absolutely delighted with her bike. It is so easy to cycle and she is so happy to be able to cycle again without fear of falling off if she has a seizure.  Thank you so much, Variety Ireland and Minister Rabbitte.  The trike will help her fitness levels and her mental well-being.

It will also be very useful for her brother.  He has Autism and hasn’t managed to learn how to cycle yet but has outgrown bikes with stabilisers.  The trike will enable him to learn this very important skill and it will open up the opportunity for him to take part in an activity that other kids take for granted. As part of Variety Ireland’s Recycle Mobility programme, Méabh passed on her old trike to a girl with Down Syndrome, who was delighted to receive it. Thank you so much to all at Variety Ireland, Minister Rabbitte and all at The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for your support in helping to ensure that children like Méabh have the opportunity to be included in cycling activities with their family and friends.

Méabh is so happy to be back cycling and we are so grateful to you all!

Best wishes”

Maura (Méabh’s mam)