Unwanted bikes needed

Help people in need by donating your unwanted clothing, bicycles and spare food at a collection day organised by Swale Borough Council.

The council have teamed up with Rotary Club of Sittingbourne Invicta and domestic abuse charity Sateda to host a donation day at Swale House Car Park on 5 October from 9am to 11am.

Sittingbourne’s rotary club will be collecting unwanted bikes as part of the council’s Cycle-re-Cycle scheme, which saves bikes from the tip or from rotting away in gardens and provides residents with affordable, environmentally friendly transportation.

HMP Swaleside inmates refurbish the unwanted bikes whilst working towards a City & Guilds in Bike Mechanics qualification, provided by the Canterbury Bike Project, giving them the opportunity to upskill themselves and make a positive step toward rehabilitation.

Over 100 bikes have already been refurbished and have been sold on for just £10 through local community groups, making the scheme self-funding and sustainable.

The Rotary club will also be doing a food drive, they are looking for cereals, long life milk and tinned foods.

Sateda will be at the council’s donation day collecting clothes, particularly for women and children.

The local charity works with the most vulnerable people in our society, helping them escape domestic abuse and offering crucial support throughout that difficult process.

Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:

“The previous donation day for the Cycle-re-Cycle scheme was a resounding success, resulting in over 100 unwanted bikes being refurbished and redistributed into our community.

“Cycling is a great way to travel as it is environmentally friendly and keeps you active, but sadly it can be expensive so having these bikes available for just £10 allows more people in the borough to get on the saddle.

“The scheme also has a great social benefit, helping inmates learn new skills and giving them a platform to launch their careers and lives after prison.

“Our partners for this donation day, Rotary Club of Sittingbourne Invicta and Sateda, have allowed us to leverage all the support we received for the cycle-re-cycle scheme and expand the help these events can offer to people.

“If you have unwanted clothes, bikes or spare food please come along to our donation day, together we can make a big difference and help the people in need within our borough.”

Valerie Williams, Sateda’s Medway Volunteer Co-ordinator, said:

“Sateda's Kent and Medway Sharewear supplies women and children in our community free clothing for those who need them.

“During the summer demand for children's wear has been high and our stocks of Childrens age 2-15 clothing and shoes are running low.

“If you have these items which have been outgrown or are no longer needed, and they are clean and in good condition, we would be grateful if you could please bring them along to this event where we will have a donation drop point.”

Penny Twaites, the environment lead for the Rotary Club of Sittingbourne Invicta, said:

“We at The Rotary Club of Sittingbourne Invicta are delighted to be assisting in this new phase of bike collection, alongside Sateda.

“We are looking forward to a very worthwhile morning.”

If you can’t make the donation day and have an unwanted bike there is a donation point, for roadworthy bikes – two wheels and two brakes – along with new or good condition used parts, at Sheerness Household Waste Recycling Centre.

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