Find out more about Re-Cycle
Re-Cycle is a local charity based at Moorside, Colchester which refurbishes second hand bikes and ships them along with spare parts to projects in Africa. Their African partners distribute the bikes and teach riders the skills to repair and maintain them. Their bikes also help health/AIDS workers reach remote villages and even provide an ambulance service in remote Namibia (see BEN Nambia).
Volunteers preparing bikes for a container
In Britain, millions of bikes are thrown away or lie unused in sheds, whilst many people in Africa have no access to transport of any kind. Walking can take up to 4 hours per day (collecting water, or walking to school). The burden can cripple a family, hampering work and education opportunities. A bicycle cuts travel time to a fraction, even carrying passengers and heavy loads. Bikes give families the extra time to earn, learn and enjoy life.
You can help by pledging to raise money by cycling yourself during Bike Week. If you have a bike lying unused in your shed that you think is beyond repair or are planning to buy a new one anyway, please donate it to Re-cycle who can either use it for parts or refurbish it.
Re-Cycle are always looking for volunteers to help load bike shipments at their base at Moorside.
If you would rather purchase a second hand bike than buy new, Re-Cycle also sell some of the bikes they refurbish, to further fund the good work they are undertaking.
For more information about Re-Cycle go to www.re-cycle-east.org.uk
