From Offaly to Africa: Local men in 'Hope on Wheels' mercy mission

TWO local men played a pivotal role in a major humanitarian journey to Africa earlier this year.

The initiative involved the delivery of Irish-donated ambulances and essential medical aid to communities in need in the poverty stricken continent.

The ambulances will be transformed into outreach clinics and emergency response vehicles, helping improve access to healthcare in remote areas of Uganda.

Tom Doyle, from Tullamore, and Michael Murphy, from Clara, were chief organisers of the mercy trip to Uganda last May which involved a total of 23 volunteers, including a number of other Offaly people.

"Hope of Wheels" is a Tullamore based organisation founded in 2020 by Tom and other Irish people who had worked in the Middle East in the past.

Palliative care and access to pain relief is virtually non-existent in Uganda, Tom explained.

"It is terrible to see children who are sick and there is no treatment available, children who are condemned to die a painful death," added Tom who had seen conditions at first hand in Uganda prior to last May's mission.

Ambulances were provided by the Dublin fire service and the HSE and the "Hope on Wheels" team opted to give them directly to hospices rather than the Ugandan government.

The organisation works with 17 different hospices in Uganda and a majority of those received ambulances from last May's trip.

Mobile clinics will be set up in the ambulances providing much-needed medical care to communities throughout the country.

Following delays caused by the U.S. Iran conflict, the group of 23 volunteers departed on May 21 last with 11 ambulances.

Michael and Tom and the other volunteers took turns driving the ambulances cross-country across rough terrain and makeshift dirt roads to reach their destination.

Despite the conditions of the roads, the biggest challenge faced by the volunteers was the level of bureaucracy.

Among the volunteers were some well-known Irish personalities, business man, Gareth Sheridan, who stood in the most recent Presidential election, and influencer Garron Noone, who provided publicity for the trip.

Other Offalians who travelled to Uganda were Tom's daughter, Ruth, Dr Michael Haverty from Tullamore, Rahan's Gerry Hickey and Ballinamere based Pau McNally.

Three major corporate sponsors also came on board – Tullamore and District Credit Union, Emirates Airlines and Kelly Steel in Dubai.

A number of fund-raising events were also organised in the lead-up to the trip including a race night in Nigel's Place in Clara. That event was also supported by McManus Pharmacy Clara, Guy & Kode Clothing Tullamore, Flynn Heat Recovery Ballycumber, Alkebaish ( Happy) Clara, Taylormade Plastering Clara , Centra Vehicle Spares Ltd , Ballycumber Nox Hotel, Kilbeggan Races, and Long Island Barbers.

Another fund-raising event was organised by Tullamore and District Chmaber of Commerce while financial and other assistance was provided by friends and families of the volunteers travelling to Uganda.

Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa in Clara also donated a large collection of school jerseys and sports gear which was distributed among young people in Uganda.

GAA jerseys are very popular with school children there, explained Tom, who said they had also been introduced to hurling by visiting Irish aid workers.

Michael Murphy recounted how the volunteers were literally laden down with donations of clothes, including Offaly jerseys, for distribution in Uganda.