The ‘small miracles’ being performed by mechanics for Horsham key workers

The accolade comes from Horsham Distict Council which is supporting a scheme which recycles old bikes and gives them to key workers and community hub volunteers.

The old second-hand bicycles have all been donated and are being repaired, spruced up and distributed across the district to NHS key workers and volunteers who are supporting vulnerable local residents by offering a befriending service, along with collecting shopping and prescriptions.

A council spokesman said: “A team of local mechanics has been engaged to work small miracles in bringing the bikes back to life and roadworthy condition.”

Scheme organisers have so far received around 30 requests for bikes and 19 refurbished models have been delivered to their new owners and are already being put to good use.

People in Billingshurst, Barns Green, Broadbridge Heath, Kilnwood Vale, Shipley, Southwater, West Chiltington and Woodmancote, as well as Horsham, are all now benefiting from the scheme.

Horsham District Council cabinet member for leisure Jonathan Chowen said:“I was really delighted to hear about this scheme, it is such a rewarding project for the council to be involved with.

“It builds upon so many of the values we hold dear as a council; improving sustainability by re-using and recycling valuable equipment, whilst also giving an important helping hand to local key workers and volunteers who are visiting those who are self-isolating at this challenging time.

“My thanks go out to all who are involved in this, the feedback from the new bike owners has been very positive.”

One of the council’s community hub volunteers Zsa Roggendorff from Shipley has been putting her new bike to good use.

She said: “I was so pleased with my reconditioned bike from the council.

“As a Shipley Community Hub volunteer, it is incredibly useful for checking in on people who have to stay at home during this time and delivering newsletters to neighbours.

“A huge treat to be given such a useful and lovely gift, and a great idea to use redundant bikes for volunteer work.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.