Opening Doors to Cycling

At Variety Ireland, we really do take pride in ensuring that all children from the disability spectrum in Ireland have access to cycling.

Our Recycle Mobility Programme supports just that by offering funding towards the cost of new special mobility trikes so children regardless of their ability can be included in cycling activities with their family and friends.

Meet Liam from Limerick. This special 11-year-old young man who is non -verbal and is diagnosed with Autism, this week received his new special mobility trike as part of our Recycle Mobility Programme, supported by Minister Anne Rabbitte from The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the HSE.

On hand to present Liam with his new wheels was Maeve from the HSE who got to experience first-hand the smiles and joy of Liam’s first ever bike ride. Needless to say, her took to cycling like a duck to water and the smile on Liam’s face says it all.

Variety Ireland also received a lovely testimonial from Liam’s mother which we thought we would share with you all. On behalf of Variety Ireland, Minister Anne Rabbitte, Maeve and all at the HSE, many many years of happy cycling Liam!!

“Dear Variety Ireland

 I would like to thank Variety Ireland and Minister Anne Rabbitte and Maeve and everyone at The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and HSE for supplying funding towards Liam’s new bike. Liam is non-verbal with Autism and has limits to what he can and cannot do. He simply loves his new trike and hasn’t been off it since the day it arrived. Not only does this provide him with psychical exercise but it’s really improved his moods and is dying to get going on his new trike at every opportunity. We as a family now will be able to do cycling together and without the kind support of this bike from Variety Ireland, Minister Anne Rabbitte, Maeve and all their colleagues at The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and HSE, this would have not been possible. This has already started to improve the mental health of all of us in the home given we have a very happy young man who now can take part in cycling activities with his family and friends. We can never thank all of you enough for what you have done as you have all changed all our lives for the better. Thank you so much as we will be forever extremely grateful to all.

 All our love!”

 Liam’s mum Natalie