At about half eleven this morning there was quite a stir at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital when a 15 strong group of bikers roared into the car park on huge motor cycles.

Heads were certainly turned but this was no Hells Angels gang, when they removed their helmets and loosened their leathers the bikers turned out to be a lovely bunch of lads altogether, big hearted softies in fact.

They may have looked scary but they came in peace, in fact they came bearing gifts for the hospital – a photo therapy unit and two breastfeeding chairs for the maternity wing and some clothing also.

The lads were members of a group called Bikers Ride out for Prems (BROFP) and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital was their first stop on a 1500km four-day fundraising tour of the country calling in to hospitals raising awareness and delivering life-saving and life-maintaining medical equipment bought with the proceeds, to various Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

The fundraising element of their road trip is to help the Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland (RMHC) build a  room at the new RMHC House, at the site of the new National Children’s Hospital, and to buy life-saving and life-maintaining medical equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Units in hospitals around Ireland.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland (RMHC) provides support and care to families who have seriously or terminally ill children in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin. Since opening in 2004 the House has supported and cared for over 3,900 families in this home away from home type environment.

Marian Carroll, CEO (Volunteer) at RMHC, said: “I can’t speak highly enough of the Bikers Ride Out for Prems (BROFP) group; like us, they are exceptionally motivated and passionate about their cause and I’m really excited to work with them on the first Miles for Smiles event.