Last week Worthing Community Chest visited ReRide to take a look at the work they do and to, more importantly, present them with a cheque for £1,500.
ReRide was started as a Social Enterprise in 2011 by Worthing Churches Homeless Projects. The project takes donated bikes and restores them for re-sale. It also works with the local community to help grow an understanding of recycling and education around cycling.
The Worthing Community Chest grant has been used to buy parts and equipment. Fred Weller presented the cheque to Matt Shaw and Paul Maxted ‘The funds will help ReRide to restore bikes and restore lives’ Matt told us.
The team from WCC were amazed to learn that along with restoring and selling over 300 used bikes per year, ReRide teach their clients and volunteers all about bike building and maintenance, offering the chance to learn new skills whilst having fun and giving something back.
‘ReRide is just the sort of project that Worthing Community Chest is looking to support’ Worthing Community Chest Trustee, Fred Weller commented ‘By providing re-skilling across the age and social spectrum it adds so much to the self confidence and personal worth of those who take part. In doing so it cannot help but contribute to the wellbeing of the wider community in Worthing. And the end products, the bikes that are re-constructed and put up for sale are brilliant! A tremendous reflection on the work and commitment of everyone involved. I am really pleased that the grant from Worthing Community Chest has been able to make a significant contribution to this project’
Volunteer Holly Sanders took some photos on the day
ReRide is an absolutely fantastic project with huge ambitions for the coming year. Worthing Community Chest is very proud to have supported this project. If you have a bike you would like to donate drop it in to a WCHP shop or call 01903 286481.