Got an unused bike collecting dust in your garage?

Hutt City Council and community organisation Biketec are calling for donations of bikes and helmets ahead of the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon returning to Lower Hutt in March 2016.

Council and Biketec have teamed up to enable those children in Lower Hutt who don’t have access to a safe, reliable bike to take part in the event.

Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace says, “It’s fantastic this event is returning to Lower Hutt and we want as many local children as possible to take part.

“Some of the young people at our lower-decile schools don’t have bikes and their families can’t afford to buy one. We know there must be plenty of unwanted bikes and bike parts going spare, perhaps bikes that people have grown out of or no longer use, and we want to match them up with new owners.

“Biketec, who have been turning unwanted bikes and bike parts into new bikes for young people in Lower Hutt for many years, will assess the donations and make any repairs and alterations needed. They’ve even agreed to pick up donations anywhere in the city, which is an incredibly generous offer.

“This is about giving all local children the opportunity to ‘give it a go’ and I’m sure the people of Lower Hutt will rally to help out.”

Biketec Manager Simon Gilbert says “There is nothing more rewarding for me and my team of bike mechanics than to see the look of a young person’s face when you give them new wheels. To be part of an initiative that also helps local children challenge themselves and take part in such a great event is even better.”

Eleven local low-decile primary school have been selected to be part of this initiative. Each school will be supplied with bikes depending on the number of donations and the needs of the students. The bikes will be returned to Hutt City Council after the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon so they can be re-used next year.

If you have an old bike, bike part or helmet to donate you can:

• Call Simon Gilbert from Biketec on 021 746642. Simon will arrange to collect your donation at a time that suits.
•  Drop your donation off at Pelorus Trust Sportshouse during opening hours: 8.30am-5pm weekdays.

The condition of bikes donated doesn’t matter as Biketec are experienced cycle mechanics. All helmets donated must be in good condition.

For more information about Biketec visit www.biketec.org.nz