Wagon Wheel team hand over €10,000 to Muiríosa Foundation

The annual charity cycle organised by Gerry and Phil Keon of The Wagon Wheel pub, Ballynacargy, has once again proven to be a tremendous success, raising a whopping €10,000 for The Muiríosa Foundation.

Muiríosa Foundation supports autistic individuals and people with intellectual disabilities, empowering them to live meaningful, independent, and inclusive lives. This year’s fundraising cycle saw participants and the local community come together to support a worthy local charity.

The 20km cycle attracted participants of all ages, and last Friday, November 21, the official cheque presentation took place in The Wagon Wheel. Amanda Maher, is the area director in the Muiríosa Foundation: “Gerry and Phil raised over €10,000. We have two projects that we will split the money between,” she told the Examiner.

The charity will direct the money to specific goals: “A portion will go to Lir Preschool to develop a play area. That’s badly needed as play is important for young children’s development.”

“The second project will see the creation of a sensory garden in our respite centre in Mullingar. This will be an outside area for respite service users. We’re just thankful for The Wagon Wheel and everybody who participated to raise that huge amount of money for us,” Amanda said.

Lorna Smith, respite manager Muiríosa Foundation, said the public support was overwhelming: “Thank you to all the local businesses who contributed spot prices on the day. I’m unable to name all the businesses involved in case I leave anybody out, but we greatly appreciate all the support we received from the community.”

Lorna said the funds improve the lives of service users: “The money raised will have a huge impact on the individuals who use the play area and the garden. Without donations like this, we wouldn’t be able to do these kinds of projects. So we are really grateful for that.”

Paula Bennett is the manager at Lir Preschool in Kinnegad: “The money is greatly appreciated for a new playground in Lir Preschool. The children that attend are between two and five years of age and have complex needs. I just want to thank everybody that was involved, all the organisers. And it was a huge achievement and we really appreciate it.”

The organisers thanked everyone who contributed in so many ways to the fundraiser: “We would especially like to thank those who took part or gave their services free of charge, including the cyclists, those who made donations, those who donated prizes for the raffle, and everyone who sponsored a cyclist.

“This would not have been possible without the marshals, Sean Maher who provided first aid, Alan Boyce, who sold the raffle tickets, Katie Keon, who looked after registration, and everyone who contributed in any way. Thanks also to Kenny Hicks, who provided the music,” they concluded.