Govia Thameslink Railway is using bikes which have been abandoned at its railway stations to help people with learning difficulties to gain new skills and build on their independence.

The train operating company gave TAG Bikes workshop just under 50 bikes which were left at stations on the Thameslink and Great Northern routes.

TAG’s team of 15 adults with learning difficulties are now servicing and repairing the bikes under the supervision of a qualified bike mechanic.

Once repaired, they will be sold on to raise money for the charity. The cash is put straight back into the charity, which is run by Cambridgeshire County Council as part of its Supporting into Work.

The bikes are sold at affordable prices to people in the community. The money which is raised from the sales pays for computer equipment for the workshop and parts to fix more bikes.

What did the officials say?

GTR Passenger Services Director Stuart Cheshire said: “More and more people are cycling to our Thameslink and Great Northern stations because we’ve been putting in better facilities with new racks and CCTV.

“Surprisingly, some people to abandon their bikes so when we heard the plea to help this great Supporting into Work project, we got straight in touch. There’s no better cause I can think of to benefit, and we’re glad to help.”

TAG Bikes Employment Skills Worker for Cambridgeshire County Council, Robert Bierton, said they had been given 150 bikes in total as a result of their appeal. He said: “We are always extremely moved by the generosity and kind hearts that exist out there, especially in our region. The recent response we have received from media coverage has been astonishing and positively overwhelming, there has been a magical feeling in our workshop since.

“The bike donations we receive are vital to the success and development of TAG Bikes. Supporting into Work TAG Bikes has never been about financial gain but more directed towards our learners’ development and getting our finished bikes back into new homes, without these donations we would not be able to do either.”

He added: “Myself and everyone involved with TAG Bikes are very proud of what we have built here in Huntingdon and would like to say a massive thank you to all that have supported us in recent weeks and over the past three years. We have the feeling another wonderful year is ahead for TAG.”

• Visit the Govia Thameslink Railway website
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