The BeActive team at the Health Improvement Commission had reported on Monday that both doors of its new bike shed, complete with free-to-borrow balance bikes for the island’s youngsters to enjoy, had been broken.
One of the four new pedal-less bikes had gone missing, and the tyres of two others had been let down. Sam Nichols, dad of five-year-old Jesse and a keen cyclist, felt compelled to help. He arrived on scene that afternoon with a bike pump and tools to try and fix what he could of the weekend’s damage.
‘When I saw the Health Improvement Commission’s Facebook post about the damage, I felt really disappointed,’ he said.
‘Especially as they’d only recently installed that facility. I really felt for the team, after all the effort they put in, and with limited resources as a charity. I felt like I needed to go and lend a hand. It happened to coincide with my lunch break – I had an hour, so I popped down.’
The initiative is close to Mr Nichols’ heart – he is a former committee member of the Guernsey Bicycle Group and current member of the local Mountain Bike Association committee. He works for the Guernsey Aircraft Registry 2-REG, which has sponsored him on previous cycling challenges, including a charity bike ride raising funds for the pump track at Delancey Park.
‘I’ve been involved with cycling for a long time, and I’m really passionate about it,’ he said.
‘It’s really important that all children get the opportunity to ride a bike, because it’s so empowering. It gives children freedom, and that sense of adventure. I see now, with my own son, how much joy bicycles bring. So I really want to support the work that HIC do.
‘Jesse is very fortunate as he has his own balance bike, which he loves.
‘But I really like this initiative because it allows all children who may not have access to balance bikes the chance to have a go and enjoy them.’
Thanks to his prompt efforts, the deflated tyres have been pumped, and the shed doors have been temporarily fixed. But one bike is still missing and Mr Nichols said that an upgraded wooden shed would be needed to withstand the season.
He is rallying community support to help recover the bike – and anyone who can donate a wooden shed, no matter its condition, is asked to get in touch with the commission.
‘If a garden centre or someone has an old wooden shed, I would be happy to put my time into building it,’ he said.
‘And if anybody knows where the missing bike is, please just return it – even if it’s ended up being damaged, it can always be repaired. It’d be really sad if it disappeared forever.’
Anyone who would can help either cause can contact amy.woollaston@healthimprovement.gg.
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