Sing When You Cycle

As a charity that supports equal access to cycling and inclusion for children disabilities, it is always a proud moment when we see special mobility trikes arrive at homes of amazing children so they to can be included in cycling activities with their family and friends.

In a report carried out by Dr Jolanta Burke of the RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Sciences for Variety Ireland, it shows cycling can improve the mental and physical well-being of both children with disabilities and family members by up to 87.5%. Through the kind help and support of Minister of State Anne Rabbitte and all at The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, we have yet again been able to help get a special mobility bike for young Katie.

This will now open up great new opportunities for Katie and her family so they all can enjoy cycling activities together supporting inclusion and equal access to cycling for this magnificent young lady.

Here’s a little note we receive from her mum Debbie expressing her thanks to Minister Rabbitte and Variety Ireland. Katie, You keep singing Katie when cycling on your new tandem, and remember the words of Tina Turner & Rod Stewart “ It Takes Two”!

“Dear Variety Ireland,

We would like to say a huge thank you to all of you at Variety Ireland and to Minister Anne Rabbitte for supplying funding towards the purchase of a tandem bike for our daughter Katie. I have to say that everyone at Variety Ireland was so helpful and the whole process was simple and stress free.

Katie has Down Syndrome which means she has low muscle tone. She doesn’t have the balance or the ability to cycle a bike by herself yet. Being on a tandem bike means Katie feels the motion of the pedals and can take part in the cycling but she can rest when she is tired.

Having Katie in front means she is safe and she has full view ahead. Cycling has become such a social activity for us. Katie gives everyone a big hello & a wave as we pass. If Katie’s not singing as we are cycling, she’s smiling!

The freedom this bike has given us is immeasurable. Katie has 3 sisters and this bike means we can now all get out cycling as a family. It is so good for all of our mental and physical well-being to be able to participate in an activity together. It’s just fantastic and we cannot thank you enough!”

Debbie (Katie’s mum)