Upcycling for St Bernadette’s School in Donegal

Variety Ireland’s Recycle Mobility Programme has many key elements to it. First, it ensures that children with disabilities have access to safe cycling. Secondly, the environmentally sustainable part is to ensure that when a child outgrows their trike that it is then passed on to other children with disabilities so they can experience the same enjoyment.

We recently visited St Bernadette’s special school in Letterkenny, where we were able to gift a special mobility trike to the wonderful students of this fabulous school.

Thanks to one of our trusted trike suppliers John Preston, we were able to hand over an upcycled Tomcat Trike thanks to bike manufacturer, Tomcat’s “Give and Take” Programme. Our Recycle Mobility Programme ensures that we maximise the lifespan of all preloved trikes so other children can get to use them. This not only saves the charity in having to fund new trikes each time, but it also ensures old trikes don’t reach harmful landfill sites which has a negative impact on our environment.

Our Recycle Mobility Programme which is supported by Minister Anne Rabbitte from The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Minister Jack Chambers and Minister Eamon Ryan from The Department of Transport, ensure children with disabilities have equal access to cycling. This means they can enjoy days out on our new greenways popping up across the county as well visit local parks and have days out with other family members.

On hand to deliver the upcycled Tomcat special mobility trike on behalf of Minister Rabbitte and Minister Chambers to staff members, principal John Haran, Michelle Shields, and the wonderful children of St Bernadette’s was Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.

Commenting on behalf of all the staff and pupils of St Bernadette’s School, Principal Haran said” The school is so happy to receive trikes that allow our children to have access to cycling. It’s great for their mental and physical well-being which supports activities outside of the classroom.” We would like to thank Variety Ireland, Minister Anne Rabbitte, Minister Jack Chambers, Minister Eamon Ryan along with John Preston and Tomcat for this truly wonderful gift. The fact that the trike is upcycled is great as not only is this programme great for children with disabilities, but it’s also environmentally friendly and sustainable.

On behalf of Variety Ireland, we would like to thank Minister Charlie McConalogue along with his government colleagues as well as the team at John Preston and Tomcat themselves for helping us provide sustainable cycling for children with disabilities, right across the island of Ireland.

Finally, our best wishes to Principal Haran, Ms Shields, and all the fabulous staff and pupils at St Bernadette’s School in Letterkenny. This truly is a fantastic special school, working hard to ensure their pupils receive the best schooling and attention they deserve.

Happy cycling everyone!