Last week was very special for students and teachers at Marino Community Special School in Bray, Co Wicklow. Tánaiste, Simon Harris came along to hand over 2 special mobility trikes as part of Variety Ireland’s “Recycle Mobility Programme which provides financial subsistence towards the cost of special mobility trikes for special schools and individual children with mobility issues.
As part of the government’s “National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030” Variety Ireland “Recycle Mobility Programme” is a collaborative cross departmental funded mobility programme between Variety Ireland which is supported by the HSE, Minister Norma Foley and Minister Hildegarde Naughton from The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and both Ministers Darragh O’Brien, and Minister Sean Canney from The Department of Transport.
Tánaiste, Simon Harris was excited to get involved spending time chatting to the students and teachers while supervising the children in the school yard as they smiled and enjoyed the experience of riding their new special mobility trikes. Tánaiste, Harris commented “Variety Ireland’s Recycle Mobility Programme” is making such a difference to children with mobility issues across Ireland. These trikes are brilliant are really do contribute to the improving both the mental and physical well-being for children with disabilities. It supports inclusion and equal access to cycling for children with mobility issues so they can be included in cycling activities both at home with other family members and at school with fellow students. The fact that The Variety Ireland’s “Recycle Mobility Programme” is supported by the HSE, The Department of Children, Disabilities and Equality, The Department of Transport shows that government departments are working together to address the needs to support inclusion and equal access to cycling for people with mobility issues. This programme is also delivering real value for money in investment for the government with on-going research being carried out by The RSCI (Royal College of Surgeons Ireland who monitor and evaluate the impact this programme is having for people with mobility issues. My government colleagues and I are delighted to support such a valuable programme which is only going from strength to strength in ensuring equality and equal access to cycling for people with mobility issues across our county.”
Research conducted by The RCSI from Variety Ireland shows that our “Recycle Mobility Programme” improves the mental and physical well-being of both the person with mobility issues and other family members by up to 87.5%. It allows families and students to enjoy cycling activities together which not only acts as daily physio for each person but also improves their mental well-being from being outside.
Principal at Marino School in Bray, Oonagh Kenny commented” These bikes are going to make a massive difference to the children her out our wonderful school. Each special mobility trike allows out children the freedom to be outside cycling with other students. The laughter and joy on each child’s face tells its own story. We are so grateful to Variety Ireland, the HSE and all government parties who support The Recycle Mobility Programme” Teacher at St Marino School, Aoife Fitzpatrick who made the initial application for the trikes, said “This programme is amazing and the difference these bikes are going to make for the students here is going to be incredible. It not only acts as a type of physiotherapy for each child but also has a massive impact on improving their mental well-being. Lots of happy faces for our wonderful children here at the school for years to come. Thank you, Variety Ireland,”
One of the many benefits of our “Recycle Mobility Programme” is that when a child outgrows their trike, it is then handed back the charity who after a NCT check on each trike, it is then passed onto another school so children their can have equal access to cycling. Our fully sustainable programme ensures there is no waste and stops old trikes reaching harmful landfill sites which is bad for the environment.
On behalf of the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, The HSE and all the other ministers from government departments supporting The Recycle Mobility Programme, we would like to wish all the students and teachers at The Marino School in Bray, many happy years of cycling and enjoyment for many years to come.
