Bike Donations making a difference in Greater Manchester

Added: 10th August 2020

Bikes that are refurbished in our workshops are regularly donated to people in need via our established partner organisations. However, we are always happy to receive requests from new organisations who work with people who would benefit from access to bikes. Earlier this year we were contacted by a charity in Bolton called The Destitution Project. They have been running a drop in centre for asylum seekers and refugees in Bolton since 2001 – their aim is to provide a safe environment for refugees and asylum seekers where they can find friendship, food and practical help.

We arranged for a vanload of bikes, which were refurbished at HMP Risley, to be delivered to The Destitution Project. Below is the note of thanks we received from them, which we shared with HMP Risley so that the trainees who worked on the bikes hear directly how much of an impact their actions can have on someone else’s life.

“Thank you so much for the bikes. They are an absolute Godsend. One of the early recipients has to walk 45 minutes to come to us and another has a metal pin in his leg and he will now be able to cycle to college, taking a lot of pressure of his damaged leg. Of course they all are now less isolated than they were.

Thank You All at the Margaret Carey Foundatoin for my new bike. This will change my life.
The pictures below show some of the early recipients, holding up notes of thanks to the Margaret Carey Foundation and the prison trainees.

The Destitution Project have found some funds to supply each new cyclist with a lock, helmet, hi-viz jacket, map of cycle roads around Bolton, and a couple of sheets of Highway Code hints and pictures of road signs – supplying them with everything they need to get out and about safely on their new bikes.