By Alesha Capone
A Laverton North-based business has donated 240 bicycle locks to Melbourne primary schools to help encourage children to ride to school.
Aus Lock & Safe launched the donation campaign on Facebook last week, asking families to mention a school’s name in a comment to be in the running to receive some locks.
The top 12 schools which garnered the most mentions between last Monday and Friday will receive 20 bicycle locks each, to give to pupils.
The winning schools include Pakenham Consolidated School, Stella Maris Primary Point Cook, Tyabb Primary, Williamstown North Primary School, Don Bosco Primary, Altona Primary, St Leo’s The Great in Altona, Tarneit P-9 College, Lynbrook Primary School, Reservoir West Primary, St James The Apostle in Hoppers Crossing and Tyabb Railway Station Primary.
Aus Lock & Safe’s Samantha Catlow said that donating the locks to primary schools “will hopefully encourage kids to travel to school safely and lock up their bikes”.
“It seemed like a great idea and a good way to give back to our community,” she said.
“Along with the masses, we are extremely excited about getting our children back to school.
“With sports clubs and programs on hold during the pandemic, the amount of physical activity has certainly reduced.
“Bike riding is a fun and stress-free way to travel to school.
“Children arrive energised and ready to learn and it also helps to reduce social gatherings.”
Ms Catlow said Aus Lock & Safe has experienced a downturn in business during the pandemic, but luckily has been able to retain all of its staff members.
“It’s been a challenging eight months and like many small businesses we need restrictions to ease and for the economy to start moving again,” she said.
Details: www.facebook.com/Aus.Lock.and.Safe.
