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MCoS Ride Free

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We are nearly at our target of helping 40 refugees and asylum seekers to own their own bike and be equipped to 'Ride Free' in Manchester!
Only £380 will enable the final donated bikes to be done up and the last locks and helmets to be bought.
Thank you so much for your support. Please help us hit our target! 

Cycling has been a life-changer for Esther, her husband Arshad and daughter Tara, helping them to get around as well as feel a part of the local community as they dream of making the UK their home.
Esther said: “I am an asylum seeker from Iran. I have been in the UK with my family, waiting for the Home Office to clear our asylum claim.
“In the meantime we are in a new country, trying to learn a new language, with no right to work or make a start on a new life. We have very little money to live on and transport is a big issue for us. We have no family in this country. 
“We started to go to the Conversation Clubs and Community Meal provided by the charity, Manchester City of Sanctuary. It was here that we signed up for a special cycling project at Alexandra Park.
“I wanted to learn how to ride a bike because the buses are so expensive. I also longed for some good exercise.
“There were lots of us learning together. My husband and daughter came too, so we learned as a family. Each week I went on a Monday morning to learn to ride a bike provided by Whalley Range on Wheels.  
“Their volunteers taught me how to ride until I could cycle round the park by myself. Then they taught me how to cycle safely on the road. At the end of 10 weeks they gave me a bike that had been donated. Other volunteers had fixed the bike up and added a bell and some security-making.
“They also gave me a helmet, bike lock, bike bump, high-vis jacket and puncture repair kit so that I could look after my own bike.
“In August we had a presentation by the local police, who had donated some of the bikes. We were given certificates to say we had taken part in the 10-week course.
“I am much more confident now and have made new English friends. I can ride to school or to any appointment or just for pleasure.”
Jane Graystone, project worker for Manchester City of Sanctuary, said: “It has been wonderful to see a local project like Whalley Range on Wheels extending their welcome and facilities to asylum seekers. They have been patient, persistent and forever encouraging of Esther and her family.



Back to the start of the start of the story:

With your help this spring, we trained 12 Asylum Seekers ride a bike for the first time with TfGM  cycle instructors and then to own their own bike. We were able to give them a lock,lights, bike pump and high-vis jacket to keep them safe on the road.
Here's what Rowa a refugee from Syria told us "I love cycling and can't wait to have a bike of my own to use every day. A bike will make it much easier for me to get around Manchester. I volunteer at Inspire two days a week where I help in the café and on Fridays I volunteer at Moseley Court Luncheon club. I currently travel to my voluntary work by bus. I would love to cycle there instead, it is so much healthier, more fun and better for the world."
Please support them! Some are destitute, others have only £35.28 to live on each week. Riding a bike will enable them to access support much more easily as public transport is too expensive.
I know they will be amazed at UK citizens wanting to support them so generously. Thank you so much.

I work for Manchester City of Sanctuary, a grassroots network that works to build a culture of welcome for asylum seekers and refugees in Manchester . You can view our latest video here: :https://youtu.be/lgFSvcE8LcQ You would be welcome at any of our Conversation Clubs. Sign up for a weekly bulletin:       https://manchester.cityofsanctuary.org

Organizer

Jane Graystone
Organizer

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