Since November 2019, when Chris Rigby joined HWR to run our bike scheme, he’s delivered sixteen bikes to refugees and asylum seekers across Hertfordshire. Chris does everything from pumping and repairing tires to making sure that the recipients know how to change gears. At times, he’s struggled with garage space, keeping up to twenty bikes at once.
Chris, who is a cycling enthusiast and also volunteers with Sustrans, collects the bikes donated by our supporters and makes sure that they’re road-worthy before delivering them to refugees who need them. These bikes can be crucial, particularly for young people who live in isolated locations. Chris described a group of unaccompanied minors living in a remote youth hostel who are now able to ride to the shops or go out on excursions. “They can now all go out together,” Chris said. “Everybody’s been very grateful and welcoming.”
Chris is keen to teach interested refugees some basic bike skills, from fixing a tire to repairing brakes. He will attend a bike repair training session at the end of this month and plans to use his new knowledge to improve the donated bikes as well as to teach others new skills.
We're currently in need of men's bikes, so if you have one to donate please do get in touch chris.s.rigby@outlook.com
Chris, who is a cycling enthusiast and also volunteers with Sustrans, collects the bikes donated by our supporters and makes sure that they’re road-worthy before delivering them to refugees who need them. These bikes can be crucial, particularly for young people who live in isolated locations. Chris described a group of unaccompanied minors living in a remote youth hostel who are now able to ride to the shops or go out on excursions. “They can now all go out together,” Chris said. “Everybody’s been very grateful and welcoming.”
Chris is keen to teach interested refugees some basic bike skills, from fixing a tire to repairing brakes. He will attend a bike repair training session at the end of this month and plans to use his new knowledge to improve the donated bikes as well as to teach others new skills.
We're currently in need of men's bikes, so if you have one to donate please do get in touch chris.s.rigby@outlook.com
