Cycling News

Wheels for Wellbeing wins £330,000 lottery grant

The cycling charity for disabled people has won a three year grant from the Big Lottery Fund for its work in Lambeth and Croydon.

The £330,000 award will secure its three weekly sessions for disabled people and their families and supporters on bicycles and cycles such as tricycles, side by side tandems and recumbents.

Anne Wright, who comes regularly to Wheels for Wellbeing sessions in Brixton's Brockwell Park, said: "Cycling gets me out and exercising. It has made me determined and has given me much more confidence. I'm now planning to buy a tricycle to ride on the road, with training from Wheels for Wellbeing. That will make me much more independent."

Isabelle Clement, chair of the charity, said; "We are very grateful to the funders and other supporters who believed in us from the start three years ago. They made it possible for us to be awarded a Big Lottery Fund grant now. This funding comes at a difficult time for many in the voluntary sector so it is particularly welcome."

Janet Paske, Wheels for Wellbeing manager, said: "Funding cycling for disabled people is funding much more than access to leisure, transport and sport. It can mean increased mobility and personal safety, getting around without having to deal with the prejudices of others. Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, we know that we can look forward to supporting more disabled people to cycle over the next three years."

Pic by South London Press

Published Friday 21 May 2010