Have a ‘wheelie’ good time in charity fundraiser

This June, Enable Ireland is asking people to take on the Wheel 100 Challenge. The challenge encourages participants to wheel 100 times in their own way and raise vital funds for the charity. You might like to cycle, skate, wheel, scoot, push a walker or buggy. It’s up to you whether you do 100 laps in your garden, 100m near your home or 100 km within your local area.
Speaking on the launch Enable Ireland Board Member Diarmuid Duggan, who is a wheelchair user, said: “We’re really excited to launch this challenge and we’re hoping people will have fun taking part. The idea is that you don your wheels whether it’s a bike, scooter, wheelchair or roller skates and wheel 100 times. You could do 100 laps of your park or 100km locally over the course of the month."
The Macfarlane family from Midleton attend Enable Ireland services in Cork with their son Jack (17). Speaking at the launch, Linda Macfarlane added: ”The summer is that bit longer for all of us this year and it’s great to be able to focus on a challenge that can be done within your local area and is inclusive for all. I’m delighted it’s a challenge that both of my children can do.”
Like many charities, Enable Ireland has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Enable Ireland CEO John O’Sullivan: “With fundraising events cancelled and our 21 charity shops closed we are facing a loss of up to €1.5million in funding. Now more than ever, we need the public’s support to continue to provide our vital services to 8,500 children and adults across Ireland."
Like many frontline healthcare workers, Enable Ireland staff have continued to support people with disabilities during the Covid-19 epidemic. Staff around the country are providing essential residential, respite, community living and family support, in a way that is safe for all. Staff are using technology to deliver clinical and therapy support for children and their families in key areas like physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, and to provide ongoing contact and support to adults in their homes.
The charity is encouraging families, sports enthusiasts, cycle clubs and anyone with a set of wheels to take part in this digital fundraising challenge. A virtual ‘Wheel 100 Champions Wall’ for those who raise the most funds will be added to the Enable Ireland website www.enableireland.ie/wheel100.
Enable Ireland is a national charity which employs 1,200 staff and provides disability services to over 8,500 children and adult with disabilities in Ireland. In North Tipperary, Enable Ireland provides specialist therapeutic assessment and intervention to children with complex disabilities and/or developmental delay in partnership with the HSE. They also provide family support and respite services to over 500 children with disabilities in the mid-west. They have a purpose-built children's respite facility, Teach Saoirse, which provides services to 40 children with a range of disabilities and a day service for adults in Nenagh.

HOW TO TAKE PART
If you would like to take on the Wheel 100 challenge and help raise vital funds for Enable Ireland, phone Trudy McQuaid on 087 6868333 or email wheel100@enableireland.ie to sign up.