FIVE of Scotland’s most accomplished musical acts are gearing up for a fundraising concert for a charity which gives bicycles to refugees.
The inaugural Big Tune Up Benefit Concert will be held at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh on November 2 to support Bikes for Refugees (Scotland) which refurbishes donated bicycles and gives them free of charge to refugees and asylum seekers.
Sharing a stage for the first time will be Todd Gordon, Christine Bovill, Dean Owens, The Dana Dixon Band and Alexander & Maclean with the Boteco Trio.
The charity’s founder and director, Steven McCluskey, said bikes are helping “new Scots” link with communities and essential services. The project has distributed more than 400 bikes to refugees, families and children in the last two years, helping families connect with psychological and health services, work and volunteering opportunities, language lessons, college and school.
McCluskey said: “It’s a simple thing but the humble bicycle can and does transform lives and for every ticket purchased we can get a bike on the road to a refugee child whose families have endured much trauma and hardship seeking safety and shelter from war, conflict and persecution.
“Giving bikes to families sends out an important message of friendship and solidarity from the people of Scotland and says to people that they are welcome here.”
“When you arrive in Scotland afraid and alone and uncertain of what the future may bring, having access to a bike is a simple but effective way of making connections and a great way to meet people and make new friends.”
The first person to receive a bike from the project over was Mehdi who was seeking asylum from the conflict in Syria. He is now a trustee on the charity’s board of directors and is in no doubt about the difference a bike has made to his life in Edinburgh and to others.
He is so enthusiastic about the project he is now repairing bikes for other refugees and asylum seekers and is setting up a new community bike project in the south side of Glasgow to give bikes free to disadvantaged Scots.
“My bike helped me when I first came to Scotland to make my new home here when I didn’t know anyone or where to go,” Mehdi said. “Asylum seekers have only very limited funds available so having a bike can help people like me access employment and their community.“I use my bike all the time to get around the city from my home to my work and to my college and to volunteer for projects like Bikes for Refugees.
“I am looking forward to the concert and Scottish music and would like everyone to come to help get more bikes for refugees.”
For more information go to bit.ly/BigTuneBenefit
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