Swindon’s Run & Repair Bicycle Servicing is looking to rehome old unwanted bicycles left lying around in sheds and garages to staff from the NHS and other key workers that need transport or want to use them for their daily exercise throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Run & Repair are offering to take any cycles, regardless of age, size or condition, give them a service and make them roadworthy, before passing them onto NHS staff and key workers.
So far Swindonians have offered up around 80 bicycles which will now be repaired and offered out for free.
Matt Jones, organiser of the amnesty said “With business quieter than usual due to the shutdown I was looking at ways to help the amazing frontline workers.”
He said: “The main aim of our business was to fix the bicycles and get more people cycling in Swindon however if we can help more frontline staff get to and from work, then why not make some positive news from this horrible time.”
“Due to the overwhelming response from the people of Swindon we have come up against a small issue, storage.”
If anyone is able to help Run & Repair with a short-term storage facility, maybe a large shed or garage please contact Matt at run_repair@hotmail.com
To help with the repairs Run & Repair are also on the lookout for donation of bicycle parts, chains, inner tubes and brake pads.
Matt finished off with a plea to frontline workers to get in touch should they need help with a bicycle “”Any NHS staff or other essential worker who wants to get a cycle can contact us and we will hopefully have a cycle ready to help.”
Matt added that safe and secure collections which follow government guidelines on social distancing can be made from the hub’s workshop.
NHS and Key workers wanting more information or if you are able to help with storage or donations, contact Matt at Matt at run_repair@hotmail.com or 07736 834867.
