Wheels of Enjoyment

Providing cycling opportunities to children with disabilities is one of the many things we do here at Variety Ireland. Thanks to our Recycle Mobility Programme, supported by Minister Anne Rabbitte and The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in 2023, we were able to deliver yet another special mobility trike to a fantastic young man from Co Laois called Brody.

This now means Brody can be included in cycling activities with his sisters, mum and dad. Not only does this mean he can get experience cycling on Ireland’s great new greenways and parks, but can also do this with his family and friends.

In a report published for Variety Ireland by Dr Jolanta Burke from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Ireland, shows that cycling for children with disabilities can improve the mental and physical well-being for both the child and their family.

This year sees the extension of our Recycle Mobility Programme which continues to be supported by Minister Rabbitte with Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister Jack Chambers from the Department of Transport, now supporting our sustainable and environmentally friendly cycling programme for children with disabilities across Ireland.

Here is yet another beautiful letter we received from Brody’s parents, thanking us for providing funding for their son’s new trike. Many happy years of cycling Brody as the New Year bring new cycling opportunities for you and your family.

“Dear Variety Ireland

We would just like to thank all of Variety Ireland, along with Minister Anne Rabbitte and her own team at Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for making it possible for Brody to receive his new special mobility trike. Brody always gets excited watching people cycling and now thanks to you all, we have the opportunity to cycle together as a family!

Not only does this open up new opportunities for Brody to cycle with his sisters, but it also brings him so much joy and happiness which is great for all our mental well-being plus ensuring it helps him with his daily physical exercise. It really has changed our lives as a family. We are eternally grateful to yourselves and Minister Rabbitte for helping us along with other families with children with disabilities so they too can enjoy cycling together as part of you Recycle Mobility Programme”

 Michael & Selina (Brody’s parents)