Eleanor Foundation in plea for space to store its bikes
A PLEA has been made by the Eleanor Foundation for storage space for bicycles as the building it is using has been condemned.
The charity, which was created in 2012 following the death of 22-year-old Eleanor Carey while cycling in London, has supplied more than 3,200 islander-donated bikes for use in Africa since 2013.
It has stored the bikes in three buildings since its inception, including the NP Group-owned former Quayside building on the Bridge for the last three years. However, the charity been told the building is no longer safe.
This has led it to make a plea to anyone with around 1,000sq. ft of space to store around 300 bikes before sending them to the Colchester-based charity Re-Cycle Bikes for Africa for onward shipment.
‘We’ve been really lucky to have this building for the time we have, but the owners have told us following a health and safety inspection it is now not fit for use,’ said the foundation’s Terry Iles.
‘The roof could go at any time and it’s generally been deemed dangerous and been condemned, so it’s understandable.
‘They want to make sure that people are safe and that the building can be developed and used in future.
‘For us though it means that we need to find somewhere else, without this we won’t be able to continue this initiative.’
He said the only requirement is for good vehicle access to ensure that bikes can be loaded into containers on-site for shipping.
This would enable it to get the bikes to Channel Seaways, which ships them to Poole for free.
From there they make their way to Bikes for Africa to be sent to countries like Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Kenya.
This initiative is in addition to the foundation’s other projects, including its water and health schemes in Tanzania.
Last year, despite the pandemic, islanders donated 410 bikes.
Allister Carey – Eleanor’s father who founded the charity – said he knew the benefits the bikes brought to those in Africa and was desperate to continue the work.
‘We really want to keep this going and provide a difference to people’s lives,’ he said.
‘People in the deep, rural, remote parts of Africa often spend three to four hours a day carrying water, 20 litres on their head, with a bike it is easier on them and means they can carry 80 litres with a bike.
‘There’s so many other benefits besides as it not only helps one person but a whole family of four or five people, even village workers providing care – it gives them more time, they can use it to get to school, it really is a lifeline to them.’
He thanked NP Group for the use of the space.
To contact the Eleanor Foundation about any storage available, email allister@eleanorfoundation.co.uk or phone Mr Iles on 263854.
