Published: Tuesday, 30th December, 2008 12:10pm

Biker toy run in aid of Mullingar children"s ward

Bikers from all over the midlands took part in a bike run to gather toys for the sick children of the children"s ward in Mullingar Regional Hospital, as well as raise funds for Bethany House in Longford, a refuge for women and their children who are the victims of domestic violence.

It all started when Billy Meehan from Longford, or Billy the Barber as he"s known, an ardent biker wondered if there were ever any toy runs carried out in the midlands.

He had the idea of holding a fundraiser for Bethany House, where he visits yearly, but after talking to Mags, the matron of the Children"s Ward in Mullingar Regional Hospital, he discovered that it was a number of years since anyone had done anything for the children by way of fundraising. So, along with the money for Bethany House, it was suggested that each biker bring a toy.

He suggested December 14 as the date on the biker website, biker.ie and bikers from all over Dublin and the midlands put their names down, paying a minimum of €15 to take part.

Over 60 bikers met in Mullingar and travelled en masse to the hospital to give the toys to the children in the ward. Santa came along with them, travelling via a trike, where they all received a warm welcome. There was not one biker who was not affected by the sight of the little children, mostly babies, in the ward. But there were plenty of presents to go around, with even more to spare for those who arrived at the hospital over the Christmas period.

From there they to travelled to Longford, where they met with Mary Shanahan of Bethany House and give her the collected money, which totalled €1180.

The bikers involved would like to thank all those who donated in whatever form towards this run and helped to make it the success that it was.