Tesco grant gets cycling charity rolling
Youngsters in and around Glasgow will be on a roll in a specially designed bike zone thanks to a grant from Tesco.
The supermarket has teamed up with Groundwork to award grants of £12,000, £10,000 and £8,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – to environmental and community projects across the UK.
Following a vote by shoppers to decide which local causes should benefit from the grants, Free Wheel North has received £10,000 through the supermarket’s Bags of Help initiative, and the money will be used to develop a peddling pool – a paddling pool for bikes.
The group was founded in 2008, and its current base at the Glasgow Green cycling centre was set up in 2011.
They use a 1km training track at the park while their wide range of adapted bikes, trikes, go-karts and other pedal-powered machines help vulnerable and isolated people and those living with additional learning needs get access to biking – all with the aim of promoting a healthier, more active lifestyle.
They currently work with over 300 groups including: Scottish Autism, Deaf Blind Scotland, Glasgow special needs schools, obesity groups, home school groups and many more.
The group’s facilities are also open to the general public and members are currently developing another project in Maryhill, North Glasgow.
Managing Director Norman Armstrong said: “The pool will be a separate area set off for small children to get involved in bike riding.
“It will create a safe environment for them to learn to bike with their parents or carers separate from the hustle and bustle of our main area.
“The Bags of Help funding will go a great way towards paying for this project; it will be a fantastic start and allow us to develop the area even further.
“We are always struggling to find money to develop our project so initiatives like Bags of Help really are invaluable.
“Demand for the facility is huge we often have queues going round the park so this money goes a long way to helping us.”
For more information on how you can get involved in Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative, please visit: www.tesco.com/bagsofhelp
