Brave Galway girl is wheely good!

A Ballinasloe family got to finally meet in person the Irish American couple who gifted them a special needs bike which has given their daughter a newfound independence.

Ballinasloe native Hillary Hatcher and her husband Tom were on a family holiday from Oklahoma City when they happened to bump into Ken Campbell, fresh from his fundraising walk between Galway and Dublin inspired by his daughter Emma.

Over a year ago, Ken had completed his 26-hour Miles for Emma event, raising €18,720 for the Metabolic Unit in Temple Street Children’s Hospital and had popped into his local, Gibbon’s Pillar House, for a celebratory drink.

There he was introduced to the Hatchers, who were involved with AMBUCS, a national organisation in America which makes and gives away 3,000 therapeutic tricycles each year to people with disabilities who are unable to use regular bikes.

When they heard how Emma suffered a rare metabolic syndrome which affects her mobility, the couple organised for Emma to get her very own ‘tryke’ last January. Earlier this month they got to see firsthand how Emma had taken to cycling like a duck to water.

They were delighted to see Emma enjoying the tryke and Tom informed us of the continued work they are doing in the States, with over 30 trykes donated already this year – unbelievable to be honest,” exclaimed Ken.

“They are bringing the joy of cycling to so many special needs children and they are passionate about it which is great. We’ve already agreed to meet up again next year when they come back when we all hope Emma will be able to pedal herself.”

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.