A CHANCE discussion between Redditch MP Karen Lumley and staff from Halfords has led to a borough school receiving 17 free bikes and helmets.
And last week the MP was on hand to officially hand over the cycles on behalf of the Redditch-based retailer to the thrilled pupils of Woodrow First School.
“We were talking about the fact that when a child’s bike is part exchanged at Halfords it goes off to be re-conditioned by prisoners in a jail in Rugby and from there they are donated to schools nationwide,” said Mrs Lumley.
“And I thought to myself ‘I know quite a few schools in Redditch that would benefit from a scheme like that’ and badgered them into making a donation to Woodrow.”
Later she told pupils: “I’m always inspired when I come to this school and I’m sure everyone loves to come here too.”
Richard Kieran, headteacher at the school said: “Our pupils were thrilled when the bikes and helmets arrived and couldn’t wait to try them out.
“With these bikes, our pupils will be able to develop their cycling skills in preparation for their bikeability training.”
Emma Thomas of Halfords said: “We’re really proud to be able to donate these bikes and helmets to one of our local primary schools here in Redditch, the home of Halfords. We hope the bikes will help fuel a lifelong passion and interest in cycling and supporting the local community around us.”
In its first year, the new scheme has donated 300 children’s bikes and new bike helmets to schools in Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Norwich.
Through national trade-in events Halfords has also donated over 20,000 bikes to the charity Re-Cycle, which sends unwanted bikes to people in need in Africa and teaches the skills needed for repair and maintenance for a sustainable solution.
