Volunteer Malcolm Dellow has been busy in his workshop transforming the unwanted bikes into road worthy, safecycles for Afganistani refugee families.
Safer Mid Canterbury Volunteer coordinator Wendy Hewitt said they got the contract to run the refugee settlement program in Ashburton in 2021.
‘‘We started getting families in May last year, the Safer Mid Canterbury settlement team orginise the housing, health and education and each family gets a team of volunteers to help them settle, like Malcolm.’’
Malcolm who is semi retired describes himself as the odd job man, ‘‘I just help fix bits and pieces.’’
Malcolm heard about a similar scheme in Wellington.
‘‘I heard on the radio that they were teaching refugee ladies how to ride bikes in Wellington, and all the bikes were donated and I thought that was amazing.
‘‘It started off with the first family, I had a bike here, I thought I don't need it, it was quite a good bike I’ll throw the bike in with the other things, that's how it started,’’ he said
The donated bikes range from almost new ebikes to cycles that require a bit of work, Malcolm can make a complete bike out of parts from various bikes.
Female bikes with the low bar are wanted because the women often wear dresses.
‘‘They tend to like ladies bikes rather than the unisex ones, we have a shortage of them,’’ Malcolm said.
Helmets are also needed but they cant be second hand, so cash donations or new helmets are welcome.
Malcolm’s daughter Matilda is a family support volunteer with Safer Mid Canterbury.
‘‘She delivers the bikes and drives the families to the supermarkets, she just loves it.’’
Wendy said the donated bikes give the families a form of transport as many do not have their drivers licence yet.
‘‘Every family or person getting a bike immediately gives them independence and a mode of transport,’’ she said.
Scooters are in demand with the kids.
‘‘Most people throw their scooter away because the steering gets loose, they don't realise its a quick job to fix,'' Malcolm said.
Malcolm has been surprised at the people who have been most generous.
‘‘It is often often the people you lest expect to be interested, people who are on their bones of their bums themselves are the ones donating the most.’’
Donated bikes, scooters, lawn mowers and garden tools can be dropped into Malcolm at 38 Hepburns Road or phone 027 475 4241.
