ORGANISERS of a charity which helps to recycle old bicycles and get people back out on two wheels admitted they were shocked at the enthusiasm for the scheme in Wellington.

The On Your Bike charity was awarded a £2,600 grant by Wellington Town Council in January to run workshops at local schools and help fix bicycles which might have needed some maintenance.

The charity has also taken the opportunity to use the Pop-Up Shop in the town centre and was able to look at 153 bikes which needed various bits of work done on them such as sorting out the brakes and replacing inner tubes on the tyres.

“We looked at 153 during the week at the Pop-Up Shop and that doesn’t include the bikes that were far too gone – those that could not be saved,” said Duncan Bawler, of On Your Bike.

Duncan, speaking at the town council’s annual parish meeting on May 28, said that they have been giving school pupils some simple maintenance advice for their bikes.

And he admitted: “The need in Wellington for our services was far more than what we were expecting. We under-estimated massively how much we were needed.

“The Pop-Up Shop was hectic, but it was really good – it was wonderful.”

Duncan said that “we live in a beautiful part of the country” and it was great if On Your Bike helped to encourage people to get out and about on two wheels to experience the surroundings.

He thanked the town council for its grant and said that the funding had helped to get 200 bicycles back up running safely and roadworthy again.

The council awarded the £2,600 grant back in January this year and councillors were very much in support of the project.

Cllr Justin Cole, at the time, said: “Going into primary schools and talking to children about cycling gives them the confidence to ride on the road.”

On Your Bike is a registered charity that was formed in Wellington in June 2010. Its key aim is to train and support those who have suffered social exclusion, those suffering with physical disabilities and mental health problems/disorders, ex-service personnel, ex-offenders, homeless and long-term unemployed.

An On Your Bike spokesman said: “Through working in our fully equipped workshops with support and supervision from our Cytech trained mechanics to refurbish unwanted bicycles, volunteers and beneficiaries gain new skills, confidence, self-worth, and a desire to be a proactive part of our community.

“We have recycled and serviced thousands of bikes, and will continue to do so to support and supply affordable bikes to our amazing community.”

Over the years it has amassed a large selection of second-hand bikes which have been donated or rescued from landfill, been fully restored and now available for people to buy.

The charity also has an extensive shop with new and second-hand parts and cycling accessories with all money going back into the charity funds.

Anyone wanting more information about On Your Bikes should go to its website at www.on-your-bike.co.uk