Wheels for Life Bike Donation Scheme is coming to Grantham Meres Leisure Centre

A bike donation scheme which restores used bicycles is coming to Grantham.

Wheels for Life is a new scheme for bike donation which will take pre-loved bikes and bring them back to a usable condition for them to be donated to people who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the varied benefits of owning and using a bike.

The scheme is now getting ready to launch at the Meres Leisure Centre, on Trent Road, from early November.

Nicola McCoy-Brown, chairman of LeisureSK Ltd said: “We are really excited to be able to bring this scheme to Grantham.

“We believe it can make a huge difference to people’s lives and look forward to getting more people healthy and active through cycling.”

The scheme is encouraging people to search their garages and sheds for any unloved and unused bike that can be donated.

It is recommended that bikes donated are adult and older children’s bikes in a useable and repairable condition.

When the bikes arrive at the hub, they are repaired and fully serviced by qualified volunteer bike mechanics to ensure that they have a long service life when they reach their new homes.

The bikes will then be given to people across the county along with a cyclist starter kit, including safety equipment and training.

Rachel Fox, health and wellbeing manager for Grantham said: ‘’We are excited to be one of the many Wheels for Life hubs that are being created around the county and we are fully committed to supporting people in South Kesteven who are struggling with transport poverty as well as getting them on a bike for their health and wellbeing.

“My role supports and helps people who have long term health conditions and getting out in the fresh air to cycle can make a huge difference to people, mentally and physically.

“If that also means that they can get a job and be able to get there independently, even better! There are so many reasons why we wanted to get involved in the scheme, and that is just one.’’

Grantham are looking for volunteers to get involved with the scheme, especially with supporting bike refurbishments.

Full training is provided through the scheme and will make a huge difference to bikes being reintroduced for local people to receive the full benefits of the scheme.

Active Lincolnshire, is running the scheme as the county’s charity who advocate the creating of inclusive, accessible opportunities for people to be active.

The aim of the scheme is to recycle 500 bikes in the first year of the campaign, which will have a huge impact on the environment saving 7.5 tons of waste every year.

Have you a bike you wish to donate? Please go online to www.wheelsforlife.co.uk to find your local donation point.