Not-for-profit organisation Reclink has donated more than 400 bicycles to people who have been doing it tough during the pandemic.
Founder of the Werribee-based charity, Peter Cullen, said Reclink Australia’s Sports Shares program aimed to limit the waste of sporting goods by collecting, reusing and delivering them to families in need.
Mr Cullen said Reclink Sports Share has “really taken off” during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering backyard sporting packs to families who have experienced unemployment or a change in circumstances since March.
He said some of the bicycles have been given to people leaving drug and alcohol residential rehab, and also people who have been hospitalised due to mental health issues.
“Often at-risk individuals leave these places with very little and are able to find comfort in the simple joys of riding a bike, alongside additional benefit of free transport,” he said.
Mr Cullen said bikes were also a “novelty” for people from some cultures. He said that donating bicycles to Wyndham residents from diverse backgrounds has helped “refugees feel included in the everyday western society”.
Mr Cullen said he would like to thank everyone from the Wyndham area who has donated sports equipment to Reclink since the pandemic started.
To donate a bicycle or secondhand sports equipment in good condition, contact 0421 442 340.
