The Mission Trip to Africa is the highlight for many of the Willow Wheelers and reflects the charitable ethos of the Club. On these trips, a group of the Wheelers (usually transition year and fifth year students and adults) travel for 10 days to visit an African country with which the Wheelers and Spiritan Order has a connection. The funds raised through the 100 mile cycle and other events are allocated to charitable works, some of which the Wheelers get to visit on these trips.
Recent trips by the Willow Wheelers include to Kenya in 2020, to Brazil in 2019, to Ethiopia in 2018, to Kenya in 2017, in 2016 to The Gambia, in 2015 to Tanzania and in 2014 to Kenya. A previous trip to Ethiopia visited Arba Minch prison, with the assistance of Fr. Paddy Moran – read about his good work here.
These trips provide an opportunity for adults and boys to better appreciate how the Willow Wheelers contribute to those less fortunate than ourselves. All funds raised go directly to the charitable causes and the costs of the trip (approx. €1,500 per person on 2017 trip) are all borne directly by the individuals traveling.
Aine O’Donoghue, Willow Park School Teacher
You can view presentations for Tanzania 2015 and Kenya 2014 by clicking these links.
