SUPPORT from all over Scotland has helped a charity step up a gear in its work with refugees.
The Bikes for Refugees project, which upcycles and distributes donated bicycles free to refugees and asylum seekers coming to Scotland, has now given away 100 bikes to help people travel and use local services.
Volunteers in Glasgow and Edinburgh work alongside refugees to service bikes and teach them basic bicycle maintenance.
The 100th bike milestone has been reached in just under a year and the news has been welcomed by Scottish Green Party co-convener and MSP Patrick Harvie.
“The brutal war and humanitarian crisis in Syria has seen millions of lives destroyed and has reminded people the world over why it matters to show care and compassion.
“I’m proud that Scotland continues to welcome refugees, as the success of the Bikes for Refugees initiative clearly shows. All those who have donated a bike to the project deserve our warmest thanks.”
Steven McCluskey, founder and director of Bikes for Refugees (Scotland), who co-ordinates the project in his spare time, said the work would grind to a halt without public support.
“The project has gone from strength to strength with support and donations coming in from all over Scotland,” he said. “As a grassroots community project, we are entirely volunteer-led and couldn’t do what we do without the valuable support we receive from many individuals and projects such as SoulRiders Scotland, who support our Glasgow hub.
“A simple thing like a bike is such a valuable asset to refugees and asylum seekers, helping people to explore their new surroundings and make valuable connections with communities and local services. As well as the physical and mental health benefits, bikes also help to put a bit of fun back into the lives of families and children who have lost so much and experienced such adversity and trauma.”
McCluskey added: “We particularly need sponsorship and financial donations to help us to continue the repair and distribution of bikes.”
Contact the project via Facebook.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel