Bike hub gets into gear to help more youngsters

More than £40,000 has been raised to get the project up and running up at St Michael's Community Centre, which is being spearheaded by charity Rise:61 and aims to recycle and reuse unwanted bikes.

Rise: 61 was set up by local residents from Bemerton Heath to help improve and develop the community and support activities.

The project has benefited local youngster Kieran White, whose skill in bike mechanics and mature and responsible attitude has seen him become a ‘junior instructor’ in the after school bike club Rise:61 helps run, in partnership with Sarum Academy.

Kieran has even manufactured a custom part for a bike that was then sold for £250 at a silent auction at the charities celebration evening. Kieran said: “I love fixing bikes, and bike club has enabled me to show these skills and to get better.”

Robin Imeson, of Rise:61, said: "The aim of the bike hub is to help more talented youngsters like Kieran use their skills to help recycle and reuse unwanted bicycles. This will help prevent them from being thrown into landfill and also provide good quality second hand bicycles for people to buy at an affordable price."

The project also hopes to engage youngsters who are struggling in mainstream education and provide vocational skills and employment opportunities.

And as it becomes more established it is hoped the hub will be able to offer bike mechanic classes to individuals, schools and community groups.

As part of the project the charity has received funding to buy some new mountain bikes and hopes to start taking young people out for mountain bike rides in places like Moors Valley Country Park.

But, to do this they need to raise another £25,000 to get a nine seater minibus. The minibus will also be used to collect donated bikes and help it run sustainably as a social enterprise.

Future fundraising events are planned, including a Land's End to John O’Groats cycle ride.

To support the project go to mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/lejogforrise.