6th October 2011

WEYMOUTH: Trio of grants kickstarts bike charity

LOCAL resident Andrew Court has won three public grants to start 3R Cycles, a specialist charity helping individuals suffering mental illness to grow in confidence by repairing, reconditioning and making reclaimed bikes road-safe again.

Thanks to a long-term donation by DJ Property and three government grants, the registered charity will be able to meet three times a week at secure, modern premises on the Granby Industrial Estate.

The organisation has received grants totalling £8,500, £4,000 of which came from the Synergy Housing Community Fund. Other contributions include a £2,500 grant from Dorset County Council’s Accessibility fund and £2,000 from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council as part of the Communities for Health funding.

DJ Property’s donation will be used to pay part of the monthly rent for the workshop, while the Dorset County Council and Synergy funds set up the bike workshop, providing the cash needed to purchase professional tools, benches and storage systems.

The service is part of Rethink Mental Illness, a national charity set up to help all people, including carers, who suffer or come in to contact with mental illness.

Mr Court is the Service Lead for Weymouth and Portland Community Service. He has successfully sought funding, created 3R Cycles and gone on to work closely help people with mental illness, including offenders, make real progress in their lives.

Service users are able to attend the workshop to learn cycle repair and servicing, which in turn provides crucial work experience transferable to the local job market. For those taking part, it also raises self-esteem and confidence.

The cycles are donated by Dorset Police and members of the local community.

The repaired bikes enter a lengthy reconditioning phase to make them safe and reliable. They are then screened to meet a strict safety-check list before being offered for sale. Prices range from £20-£100 depending on make, size and condition.

Mr Court said: ‘I’m delighted this project is up and running and giving such a real benefit to those attending. Thanks to their hard work and diligence we’re able to offer reasonably priced, safe cycles to people in the area. I’m extremely thankful to the organisations who have given funding to get this off the ground.”

3R Cycles are always actively looking for old and unused bikes. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Mr Court on 07866 252 0488.