Variety - the children’s charity of Ireland, recently teamed up with the award winning Ireland West Airport for the presentation of a special mobility trike to Athlone native, Jade McCallon.
Ireland West Airport has become the latest member of the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Passengers with non-visible disabilities who choose to display the Sunflower will be provided with a free sunflower lanyard at the customer assistance desk inside the airport terminal.
To mark the occasion, four year old Jade, the daughter of Mark and Denise, was presented with a special mobility trike as part of Variety Ireland’s ‘Recycle Mobility Programme’. This initiative supported with the kind help of Minister Anne Rabbitte from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provides funding for special trikes to children with mobility issues across Ireland so they can be included in cycling activities with their family and friends.
On hand to present the special trike was Minister of State for Transport, Deputy Jack Chambers, who was accompanied by his cabinet colleague, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary.
This ensures children regardless of their ability get to experience cycling so they can be included in outdoor activities with their family and friends. Once a child has outgrown their trike, it is then passed onto another child so they too can enjoy the freedom of cycling.
The Sunflower was first introduced in London’s Gatwick Airport in 2016, and since then is now recognised in over 220 international airports around the world. It lets passengers discreetly indicate that they may need support, understanding or a little extra time whilst navigating the airport, check in or security screening, or when boarding the aircraft.
By providing sunflower lanyards to passengers, Ireland West Airport aims to make the airport experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible for those with hidden disabilities. All airport staff have received training to recognise the Sunflower and provide support and assistance to those wearing it.
“I am really pleased to be invited to the launch of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower at Ireland West Airport. It is important that people living with non-visible disabilities are provided with support and assistance when travelling, and it is great to see Joe Gilmore and his team at Ireland West Airport joining the globally recognised Sunflower network. The airport will provide complimentary Sunflower Lanyards to their passengers and staff with hidden disabilities to use when travelling and at home here in Ireland.
“It’s particularly relevant today having Variety children’s charity attending the launch, as they have presented a mobility trike to both Jade which will help her to be much more independent and open opportunities to travel. This state-of-the-art trike, funded by my colleagues at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are fully collapsible and can fit into the aircraft hold very easily,” Minister Chambers stated.
“As a national charity that recognises and helps children across the disability spectrum, Variety Ireland are delighted to present a special trike to young Jade. With the magnificent on-going support of Minister Anne Rabbitte, together we are championing the cause that children regardless of their ability like Jade can have access and be included in cycling activities with their friends and family. The fact that Ireland West Airport now recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower demonstrates their own commitment to recognising and helping children with disabilities traveling through this fantastic airport,” Derek O’Neill CEO of Variety - the children’s charity of Ireland, concluded.
