Refugee Roots

Press Release

Monday 26^th September 2022

 

Refugee Roots launches free bike campaign with Bikes Love You

On Thursday 29^th September Nottingham-based charity Refugee Roots and cycle refurbishing project Bikes Love You officially launch their joint project to provide the city’s refugees and asylum-seekers with free bikes. Over 30 refurbished bikes will be available to those who find it hard to afford the cost of travel and need a way of getting to work or appointments. This is being made possible by a grant from the national Household Support Fund administered by Nottingham City Council.  Anyone eligible to apply for a bike can be referred or can approach Refugee Roots direct.

 

The event on Thursday is just one of several sustainability-related activities being held in the Tiger CIC on Lister Gate to mark Sustainability Day. Starting at 10 am visitors can drop in to make use of the Refill Station run by Shop Zero and learn more about Tiger’s Super Project to reduce period poverty through sustainable sanitary wear for refugee women.

 

Refugee Roots’ Charity Director Adam Baker says: “Sustainability Day is a great opportunity for different groups, organisations, partners, and visitors to make a collective effort towards a more sustainable planet. It will be fun and informative, and will directly meet the needs of our users.  I am delighted we are marking the beginning of some very exciting projects for us at Refugee Roots.”

 

Rawa Hassan received a bike earlier this year: "Thank you for this bike that now I can get out more often and leave the house, this is good for me"

 

Anthony Hopwood of Bikes Love You says: “Our aim is getting as many people on bicycles as possible for all the right reasons; sustainability, affordability, air quality, mental health. That’s why we are proud to partner with Refugee Roots to provide quality refurbished bicycles and offer transport solutions for refugees.”

 

As well as the bike project, Refugee Roots has used the Household Support Fund to serve-up more than 30 vegetarian meals a week to Nottingham refugees, provide 200 meal vouchers for use in the Tiger community hub café, and to meet basic needs through food bank donations.

 

ENDS

Media contact: Louise Third MBE 07773 288342 / [email protected]

Adam Baker is available for an interview.