Anyone wanting to donate an unwanted bicycle to Africans can do so at St Thomas’ Square in Newport on Saturday (19th March).
A van (loaned free of charge by Bartletts) will be at St Thomas’ Saturday Market between 09:30 and 15:30 to receive any bicycles donated.
Over the years, Islanders have donated over a thousand bikes. The Re-cycle charity has bicycle projects in Gambia, Ghana, Zambia, and South Africa. On average, 1 bike is used by 6 people in an African household.
Bikes can benefit a family for many years with a little basic maintenance. Virtually everything traded must be transported, and almost everyone needs wheels to get to work.
Sue Bailey, local Co-Ordinator for the charity Re-Cycle: Bikes to Africa says:
“We do not currently have storage facilities on the Isle of Wight; this is a one day only drop off point. So, don’t delay, dig out that unwanted bike and give it a new lease of life, and give yourself some extra space.
“Wightlink has given us free ferry crossings, so we can transport the bikes to the mainland and take them to the charity’s headquarters in Colchester. Within a few weeks, these donated bikes will be on their way to helping a young person access education, a health worker reach a clinic, or a food grower deliver food to a market.
“This is such a great scheme. Last August, we received over 50 bikes during the one day drop off.”
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I know a place on the mainland where people “donate” their bmw/audis to africa, 2 per container with furniture and other items loaded last. Bet they prefer them to bikes..
Am I right in thinking that these bikes are SOLD to people in African countries, not GIVEN to needy people as might be inferred from the statement in the article?
I’m just asking as I’m a bit cynical of charities right now.
Bikes, tools and spares are given to the African “partners” they have for free. However, the partners themselves end up selling a lot of them to fund the further supply repair and support of the scheme locally – so no, not all bikes end up with the intended end user for free.
Everything that is “donated” to africa eventually ends up in the african market stalls on sale. Look at all those spectacles that get sent – they are all sold, as are T shirts/jeans etc – none of it is handed out for free. These charities are rinsing the UK public and selling it on.