The South Tipperary Irish Wheelchair Association(IWA) Branch is extending thanks to the public and the Irish Steam Engine Owners Association for the 2025 Road Run event. The five-day event featured over a dozen steam engines travelling from Dublin to Cork last month. Donations along the way went to the IWA in each relevant County. A total of €3,500 was collected in Tipperary where the engines stopped in Cashel, New Inn and Cahir.
The Irish Steam Engine Owners Association undertakes a road run every five years and selects a charity to benefit from the public interest in viewing the historic engines in operation.
There was further good news for the IWA today when FREENOW, Ireland’s No. 1 Taxi App, announced that over €200,000 has been raised for the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) by passengers in the last 6 months. During this time, FREENOW passengers have been able to round up the cost of their trip to the nearest euro and donate the difference to support the work of the Irish Wheelchair Association.
These donations have been used to cover some of the costs of IWA’s bus network, which operates 134 buses across the country to ensure members have access to services, amongst other things. IWA transport costs which include buses, fuel, running costs and maintenance are not fully covered by funding grants, and therefore, these funds raised have been vital in allowing IWA to continue their nationwide bus network service. This enables members to participate in activities in their local IWA Community Centres and wider community, attend appointments, go on social outings and take part in sports activities.
In addition, FREENOW is supportive of the rollout of Wheelchair Accessible Taxis with 4,200 in operation across all operators as of April this year.
FREENOW is calling on the Government to expand the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle(WAV) Grant Scheme to help more taxi drivers buy or convert accessible vehicles. Currently, WAVs make up about 21% of the SPSV fleet. If the industry is to meet the NTA target of 25% by the end of 2025 more support is needed according to Danny O’Gorman, General Manager of FREENOW.
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