New Cycling Opportunities in 2024

A new year represents new cycling opportunities for children looking to enjoy the outdoors. Meet a fabulous young boy from Dublin called James. James has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

Our Recycle Mobility Programme, supported by Minister Anne Rabbitte and The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Minister Eamon Ryan and Jack Chambers from The Department of Transport and the HSE, provides children like James with the opportunity to experience the joys of cycling with his family and friends.

In a report conducted by Dr Jolanta Burke from The RCSI, shows that cycling for children with disabilities improves the mental and physical well-being for both the child and extended family members by up to 87.5%. Now James and other wonderful children like James can get to be included in cycling activities with friends and family.

Here is a lovely note we received from James’s mother expressing her thanks and gratitude for his new trike. Many happy years of cycling James from all of us here at Variety Ireland and the Ministers!

“Dear Variety Ireland,

Thank you so much to Minister Anne Rabbitte for championing your Recycle Mobility Programme along with Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister Chambers along with all at The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and The Department of Transport as well as The HSE for providing funding for a brand special mobility new trike for James. Not only does this trike allow James to cycle like his peers, it allows him to do it safely. It has also become a huge part of his physio! Programmes like this give children like James a level playing field and as parents we get to experience the milestone of our child learning to cycle. It has opened up so many opportunities for James which is great for both his physical and mental wellbeing. Thank you so much.”

Emma (James’ mum)