A VOLUNTEER-led bike hub has raised £50,000 for Naomi House and Jacksplace since it was founded two years ago.
The hub is based in the Naomi House and Jacksplace warehouse in Winnall, Winchester and was co-founded by Richard Hollingdale and Luke Brashier.
It is run by a group of volunteers to recycle used bicycles, get more people into cycling, and raise funds for the hospices. They then sell these bikes through the charity's shops, such as the one in Chineham Shopping Centre.
Since its founding, the hub has refreshed, repaired and sold more than 600 bikes and raised £50,000 for Naomi House and Jacksplace, hospices for children and young people.
Helena Maskell, volunteer services manager, said: “The Bike Hub was initially launched with just two volunteers and has grown to a team of 12 volunteers over the past two years. Most of the team are keen cycling enthusiasts but it is their commitment and dedication to recycling the many donated bikes we receive, and to raise money for Naomi House and Jacksplace that has made the scheme such a success.
READ MORE: Award-winning bakery celebrates its first year in the community
“We are extremely lucky to have such a great team of volunteers who not only do a fantastic job but enjoy their role and the companionship of the colleagues they work with.”
Volunteers at the Recycle Bike Hub refresh, repair and rebuild pre-loved bikes, making them ‘fit to ride’. Every bike sold is signed off by a qualified bike mechanic, while donations cover the cost of the spare parts required to refurbish the donated bikes.
SEE ALSO: Street food venue closes ahead of relocation
Richard Hollingdale, co-founder of Recycle Bike Hub and volunteer at Naomi House and Jacksplace, said: “When we started the project, we had three objectives: Stop bikes being lost to landfill, get more people cycling, and raise funds for a great charity – Naomi House & Jacksplace.
“In just over two years, the bike workshop has recycled and sold over 600 bikes and raised £50,000. In addition, the workshop has positively offset 60,000kg of carbon dioxide by recycling unused bikes and returning them to the road with new cyclists. A big thank you to everyone who has either donated or purchased one of our recycled bikes – that’s 50,000 worth of thank yous.”
Bikes refurbished by the Recycle Bike Hub can be purchased via three of Naomi House & Jacksplace’s charity shops, including Chineham, Basingstoke, North End, Portsmouth and Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here