Allocation of 2023 100 Mile Charity Cycle Funds
We are very grateful to all who participated in Willow Wheelers 2023 events and who generously contributed to the funding of projects supported by the Club. All administration is on a volunteer basis and 100% of all funds received by Willow Wheelers go directly to the projects supported.
A total of €52k was raised in 2023 for the Willow Wheelers’ charitable causes, principally from the 100 Mile Cycle, a fund raiser in Joan & Brendan’s home, Eleni & David’s fund raiser and a soccer fundraiser. The 2023 Mission Trip went to Kenya and US$10k (€9k) cash was disbursed during this trip, as outlined below. A further €5k was transferred to Rotu and €2k on a solar panel project. Following a meeting comprising some Committee members and some of the participants in the 2023 Kenya Trip, a further €40k was allocated to projects in response to funding requests, as outlined below. A summary of the 2023 Kenya trip prepared by Áine O’Donoghue is available HERE:
When determining the funds allocation, the following factors are considered:
- The focus on WW funding is principally directed to support for projects involving water, health and education. Exceptions to this have been made, e.g. emergency Covid-related relief.
- Typically, most of the funds from the 100 Mile Cycle are allocated mainly to projects in the country visited in that year, i.e. Kenya for 2023.
- Ensuring a balanced spread of funds allocated across a small number of projects which will have a meaningful impact.
- Ongoing support for multi-year projects, e.g. support for students attending schools.
- Most projects supported have been visited by Willow Wheelers members.
- Fund management locally is through trusted individuals with whom Christy McDaid (Chairman) communicates and ensures that funds are spent as allocated.
- Retaining sufficient funds following the allocation in case of emergencies and to ensure continuity of funding of multi-annual commitments.
- Funding request submissions from various projects made through Christy McDaid (Chairman) are considered.
The following is a summary of 2023 funds allocation:
| Total | WW Meeting | US$10k | Other | |||||
| # | Project | Purpose | Contact | €k | €k | €k | € k | |
| 1 | Kenya: Machokos School | Sponsorship of six female student scholarships from Pokot region (€600/student for 4 year commitment) | Fr. John Wambu CSSp | 3,600 | 3,600 | |||
| 2 | Kenya: Rotu | Community food relief and water access | Fr. Sean Mc Govern CSSp | 17,250 | 10,000 | 2,250 | 5,000 | |
| 3 | Kenya: Tangulbei | Contribution to blood screening machine, fridge to store medicines, solar panels and St. Luke’s Primary School new dormitory | Fr. Atugaba Maxwell CSSp | 9,400 | 5,000 | 2,250 | 2,150 | |
| 4 | Kenya: Barpello Mission | Contribution to High School-Medicines for dispensary, water tanks and community food relief | Fr. Tom Wanyouyi CSSp | 7,250 | 5,000 | 2,250 | ||
| 5 | Kenya: Anna Chebet Orphanage | Medical bills and food relief |
Anna Chebet
|
2,900 | 2,000 | 900 | ||
| 6 | Kenya: Riruta School, Sister of the Precious Blood, Nairobi | Tanks to harvest rainwater | Sr.Grace,
Riruta
|
2,450 | 2,000 | 450 | ||
| 7 | Kenya: Gatoto Integrated School, Mukuru, Nairobi | Food relief | Gideon Ndambuki (General Manager) | 3,900 | 3,000 | 900 | ||
| 8 | Kenya: Marigat | Food relief and medicines | Spiritans Nairobi | 2,400 | 2,400 | |||
| 9 | Brazil: Perus, São Paulo | Community social centre with educational content | Fr. Brendan Foley | 4,000 | 4,000 | |||
| 10 | Ethiopia: Addia Abba | Food relief | Sr. Celestine | 3,000 | 3,000 | |||
| 56,150 | 40,000 | 9,000 | 7,150 |
Note: 2023 funding of €52k recorded above from March 2023 – Feb. 2024 has been allocated with a further €4k allocated from cash reserves.
Previous years’ allocations have been published on the WW website here:
2022: https://willowwheelers.club/2024/04/04/allocation-of-2022-100-mile-charity-cycle-funds
2020/21: https://willowwheelers.club/2022/06/15/allocation-of-funds-from-the-100-mile-cycles-2020-2021/
