Cycling should always be fun, and it’s even more special when children with mobility issues get the opportunity to cycle with family and friends.
Recently, we at Variety Ireland held a special Sunday afternoon of fun cycling in St Anne’s Park in Dublin. The event was sponsored by Iarnród Éireann, which saw their employees and other members of the public bring along family members with disabilities, where they had the opportunity to experience cycling in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. This was all under the supervision of the wonderful, dedicated Louth Disability Cycling Club team.
Variety Ireland events like this are organised to ensure that children with various physical, sensory, or developmental disabilities are given the opportunity to enjoy the fun and health benefits of cycling, regardless of their ability level.
Communications Manager for Iarnród Éireann, Barry Kenny, was on hand to present a special mobility trike, co-sponsored by Iarnród Éireann and Variety Ireland, to a young boy called Senan from Dublin.
This special mobility trike now provides Senan with his own set of wheels, so he can be independent and now be included in cycling activities with his family and friends.
In a new Recycle Mobility Programme Impact Report and Evaluation Study conducted by Dr Jolanta Burke from The RCSI and Dr Robert Egan from Trinity College for Variety Ireland, results show that special disability trikes not only support inclusion and equal access to cycling for children with disabilities but can improve the mental and physical wellbeing for both the child and other family members by up to 87.5%.
We at Variety Ireland were delighted to partner with Iarnród Éireann, who were one of the first companies in Ireland to recognise the importance of supporting staff members who have children with disabilities and organising a special day of cycling so their children could be included in a fun cycling day.
The fabulous team of volunteers from Louth Disability Cycling Club, as always were simply amazing and ensured that all children got to sample cycling on a wide range of special mobility trikes in safety. Refreshments on the day were kindly sponsored by Railway Benefit Fund with thanks to the team at Olive’s Team Room in St Anne’s Park.
Variety Ireland would also like to acknowledge the kind support of Companion Tandems and John Preston Healthcare Group, who turned up on the day with their own selection of special mobility trikes for children to enjoy. A big thank you to I Bike Dublin and Cycling Without Age Clontarf for their help and assistance on the day.
