Wexford motorcycle run raises €1,700 for charity

The event, organised by Colette Nolan, raised funds for three worthwhile causes; Futures in Mind Suicide Prevention and Awareness, National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, and Blood Bikes South East.

Ms Nolan holds all three organisations close to her heart, and currently acts as a controller for Blood Bikes South East who take calls from hospitals and transport medical equipment, files, blood samples some of which are in an emergency situation.

Speaking on the importance of The National Rehabilitation Hospital and its services, she said: "It is the only hospital of its type in Ireland, providing complex specialist rehabilitation services to patients, both adults and children, who as a result of an accident, illness or injury, have acquired a physical or cognitive disability and require a specialist programme of rehabilitation. The NRH is a fully publicly funded hospital and operates on the ethos of providing high quality care and treatment to patients irrespective."

They provide specialist care in the areas of; spinal cord injury, paediatric family-orientated rehabilitation, prosthetic, orthotic, and limb absence rehabilitation, as well as brain injury including strokes and other neurological conditions.

The third charity was Futures in Mind (Talk to Tom) who offer counselling to those in crisis and helps promote a healthy mind and well-being. This charity relies solely on funding raises from charity shops and donations received from the public through private means or public fundraising events.

"I am overwhelmed by the turn out of bike riders on the day and thanked them all from the bottom of her heart for their generosity and support," she said.

"A special thanks goes out to Conor Brennan of McSorley's for the support and also for donating two vouchers; one for €100 and one for €50," she added.

The winner of the €50 voucher on the day, which was raffled among the bike riders, was Frithjof Berndsen, Wexford and the winner of the €100 voucher was Ann Roche, New Ross. The €1,700 which was raised on the day will be divided between the three charities.