Bikers on a mission for missionaries

A GROUP of bikers led by a Vincentian Priest took to the roads last week on vintage motorcycles to raise funds for a Phibsborough based missionary group that sends volunteers to needy communities in Ethiopia.

The All-Ireland Vintage Motorbike Gathering was launched by RTÃ?’s Mary Kennedy last Tuesday at The Church Bar and Restaurant on Mary Street before those taking part set off to Donegal where they planned to meet up with more than 100 bikers from all over Europe last Sunday.

Local priest, Fr Michael McCullagh, was one of the core team of bikers taking to the roads on his vintage Heinkel for this Gathering Ireland event.

Fr Michael is a member of the board of directors of Vincentian Lay Missionaries (VLM), based in St Peter’s Parish Office, Phibsborough, Dublin 7.

VLM supports the work of the Vincentian Fathers and the Daughters of Charity in disadvantaged communities in Ethiopia, eastern Africa.

The week long All-Ireland Vintage Motorbike Gathering event passed through Carlow, Enniscorthy, Ballincollig, Ennis, Galway and Sligo en route to Donegal.

The finale of the gathering was an ascent of Glengesh Pass last Sunday, where over 100 bikers from Ireland, UK and Germany met at the Donegal beauty spot, with the moment captured by aerial photographers.

Since 2002 VLM has been sending volunteers to work in education and community projects across Ethiopia, sharing their skills in education, youth work and women’s development while supporting people to build up their own business and livelihoods in both urban and rural settings.

Over the past 11 years almost 200 volunteers from Ireland have travelled to and worked on these projects. VLM recruits volunteers with various backgrounds ranging from teaching to trades to community work.

Short term placements of between one and three months are available all year-round.

“The projects that VLM support make a huge difference to disadvantaged communities in Ethiopia and many past volunteers have stated that their time in Ethiopia was one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives,

? said VLM spokesperson, Mary Anne Stokes.

“Anyone interested in volunteering with us can find out more on www.vlm.ie.

?

Speaking before the Gathering event, Fr Michael described the All Ireland Vintage Motorbike Gathering as

“a celebration of VLM’s work over the last decade.

?

“We hope to get a good reception at locations all over the country,

? he said.

“Local motorcyclists will come to meet the touring group and escort us into the various towns on the route including Carlow, Enniscorthy, Ballincollig, Ennis, Galway, Sligo and Donegal. We are also planning to meet with past volunteers on our tour, while we also hope that the All Ireland Vintage Motorbike Gathering will raise much needed funds for VLM’s work in Ethiopia.

?

To donate online to support VLM’s work visit Vincentian Lay Missionaries page on www.idonate.ie and for more information on the event please visit www.vlm.ie/bikegathering.