Access to Cycling for Ronan in Clare

It’s great when families can engage in activities together outside of the home. What’s more special is when children with mobility issues are included. Meet Ronan from Co Clare who recently received his special mobility trike as part of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland’s “Recycle Mobility Programme.

This initiative which is supported by Minister Hildegarde Naughton and her Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, The Department of Transport and the HSE ensures that children and groups have access to funding for special mobility trikes. This programme allows the child to hand back their trike when they have outgrown it and receive funding towards a new one. The old trike is then given an NCT and passed onto other children groups or schools so children there can have access to cycling. This environmental programme ensures old trikes are upcycled and never reach harmful landfill sites. Research conducted by the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons Ireland) shows that our Recycle Mobility Programme improves the mental and physical well-being of both the child and other family members by 87.5% because it supports family inclusion and equal access to cycling for the child with mobility issues.  Here is a quick note from Rona’s grandfather, telling us how the trike is already benefiting his grandson. We wish Ronan many happy years of cycling around Co Clare and beyond.

“Dear Variety Ireland

On behalf of Ronan and our family, we would like to sincerely thank Variety Ireland, Minister Naughton and her Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, The Department of Transport and the HSE for helping to fund a special mobility trike. This trike is already proving to be of great benefit to Ronan in helping to strengthen his muscles, improve his balance and coordination. The fact that he can venture outside for cycling activities is not only great for his own mental health but his overall  development. As a family, we are now able to go outside and enjoy cycling as a family unit which is simply brilliant as it brings the family together. Thank you so much to all involved as this is a real game changer not only for Ronan but for all of us. The Recycle Mobility Programme really is a fantastic initiative which helps lots of children get mobile.

Thanks again!”

Joe (Ronan’s Grandfather)