Santa’s second visit on Sunday was to Teach Fáilte, where there was hot soup, tea and coffee for the bikers who did the Midlands Toy Run; from left, Michael McGrath, Longford, Dave Allen, Longford, Mary Kennedy and Linda McGee, Teach Fáilte, Santa, Linda McGee, Longford, and Eugene O’Leary, Longford.

Freewheelers motor in on toy run

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The Freewheelers Motorcycle Club rolled into Mullingar in large and loud numbers for their annual Santa run to the children’s ward at Mullingar hospital and Teach Fáilte, on Sunday. The bikers would have had chilly fingers and toes considering the weather that was in it, but they received a warm reception at both venues, from the children – who really just wanted to meet Santa – and from staff.

The Midlands Toy Run was started 16 years ago by Billy ‘the Barber’ Beahan and Frank Kane.

The group’s motto since then has been ‘it’s all about the kids’ and every year they gather bikers from the midlands to escort Santa and Christmas cheer – in the early years to Bethany House in Longford and the children’s ward in Mullingar hospital, and in more recent years to Teach Fáilte, the TEAM facility in Mullingar.

The Freewheelers did the first toy drop-off at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, (back from left) Frank Kane, Freewheelers, Chloe Galvin, helper, Paul Galvin, helper, Orla Kane, helper, Mary Kennedy, Teach Fáilte, as a Christmas Elf, Santa, and Bridget Molloy, staff nurse, children’s ward; (front) Martin Marshall, TEAM, Santy’s driver on the day, and Ian Liddy (known as Dyna), Freewheelers club president.

Frank Kane of the Freewheelers said: “When Billy sadly passed away in October 2022, the Freewheelers – who get the same enjoyment from seeing the happy faces of the kids at Christmas as Billy and I did – vowed to keep the Midlands Toy Run going.

“It’s a special day out where bikers meet and get to help bring a little Christmas cheer to those who might need a bit extra. It means a lot to the members of the Freewheelers MC North Central Chapter to be involved and part of what has become a biker Christmas tradition in the midlands.”

Mary Kennedy, project manager, speaking on behalf of TEAM (Temporary Emergency Accommodation Midlands) said: “We were looking forward to what has become an annual visit from the Freewheelers MC for the Midlands Toy Run.

“TEAM is a registered charity that provides temporary emergency accommodation to women and children who are experiencing homelessness from the four counties of Westmeath, Longford, Offaly and Laois. Our mammies and children thoroughly enjoyed the day, and were overjoyed to meet Santa.

“Once again, David Smyth Catering kindly donated delicious, warm food for all our guests, and Ollie Kennedy fulfilled a special job on the day!

“We would like to thank the bikers and their families, and David Smyth Catering, all of whom have a lot of preparation to do for the event. We at TEAM feel lucky to have the support of the Freewheelers MC and the Midlands Toy Run, David Smyth Catering, Ollie Kennedy, and a generous community that support us, especially at this time of year.

“We thank all for their kindness and generosity and are looking forward to their next visit already.”

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