Meath bikers snap into action to support injured pal

A MOTORCYCLE photo challenge to raise funds for the founder of Meath Bike Meets who was seriously injured in an accident three weeks ago has been launched by his club mates.

Aaron Murphy from Trim was out riding his bike on the Trim-Longwood Road on 5th March when he was struck by a car. He suffered two fractured wrists, fractures to his left leg and a facial fracture. Aaron was initially taken to Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown and then transferred to the Mater Hospital for surgeries.

Friend and clubmate Kevin Booth, one of the organisers of the fundraiser, said Aaron is now home from hospital and while he is still in a lot of pain, he is in good spirits. He told how Aaron had to have a metal rod put in his leg, a metal bar in one of his wrists and his other wrist had to essentially be wired back together. Despite wearing a helmet, Kevin said Aaron had also fractured the orbital bone in his face.

Aaron was the founder of the Meath Bike Meets group, a community group for bikers which now has 1,200 members.

“It was his idea, he originally started the whole thing,” said Kevin.

“We meet every week during the summer and do a lot of charity work. We did the Zak Rocks toy run at Christmas, and we had 60 bikes in the parade in Navan on St Patrick's Day and raised €1,600 for Blood Bikes.”

Kevin said members range in age from 17 years of age up to 70 years of age. They help learner drivers develop skills for riding bikes and promote bike safety, as well as running courses like first aid. “ We cover a big spectrum of anything to do with biking and safe biking in the community,” explained Kevin.

Aaron and his partner Shauna have a three-month old son, Riley and because Aaron is unable to work at the moment, his friends in Meath Bike Meets decided to do a fundraiser to help him out.

They have come up with the idea of a motorcycle photo challenge based on the idea of the Irish Photo Rally Challenge which has been running for over 40 years where bikers take photos at a list of locations around the country.

“We are going to do a mini version of it in Meath. Instead of just doing a charity run or an event, we said we would do something that people can get out and take part in. We have 20 locations all over Meath picked out on an interactive google map.

“People then park their bike up, take their picture and when they have the 20 pictures done, they email them in. Everyone who completes it will go into a draw. We have had some great prizes donated.”

The idea is to make a donation on the gofundme page set up for Aaron and then complete the challenge before the end of July.

Kevin, along with some of Aaron's other friends from Meath Bike Meets, went to visit him after the St Patrick's Day Parade and Kevin said while he can't really walk and is in a lot of pain, he is in good spirits. He added that Aaron's father is a physiotherapist and will be helping him with exercises to get back on his feet.

To take part in the Meath Photo Challenge see the Meath Bike Meets Facebook page. You can also make a donation on by searching for 'Meath Photo Rally for Aaron' on www.gofundme.com