A Swindon charity shop has launched a new initiative which sees recycled bikes being sold in support of vulnerable children.
Bicycles have been put back together by prisoners in rehabilitation and are being sold for a bargain price at the Barnardo’s store in Cavendish Square.
‘Recycle your Cycle’ aims to reduce reoffending and equip prisoners with technical skills that they can use to gain employment upon release.
The innovative scheme uses bikes that are donated from universities when abandoned bicycles are left on campus, stolen bikes recovered by the police service, and Evans cycles who are currently running a trade-in promotion.
Barnardo’s area business manager Emma King said: “We are delighted to support the ‘Recycle your Cycle’ scheme.
“Not only does it raise vital funds for vulnerable children and young people across the UK, but it also allows our customers to buy a bike at a great price while supporting prisoners to learn new skills and hopefully turn their lives around.”
‘Recycle your Cycle’ CEO Mark Abrahams said: “We are excited to be working with Barnardo’s on this initiative.
“Increased demand for bicycles will also enable us to open more workshops both within the prison service to help prisoner rehabilitation and outside of prisons to help disadvantaged groups learn a useful skill”
The Barnardo’s store in Cavendish Square is open Monday-Saturday from 9am-6pm and on Sundays from 10am-4pm.
The team welcome donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys, games, accessories, homeware, bric-a-brac and small electrical items, as well as offers of help from potential volunteers.
Call (01793) 616659.
Last year Barnardo’s supporter more than 300,000 children, young people, parents and carers across the UK.
Visit www.barnardos.org.uk
