Mining industry supports Bicycle charity
A number of mining industry-related companies are getting behind Bicycles for Humanity.
Bicycles for Humanity, or B4H in modern technology speak, describes itself as, “A world-wide, grass roots, volunteer run organisation focused on simple, sustainable empowerment in the developing world”.
It does this in the most elementary and practical way – by sending used donated bikes from the developed world to partner organisations in countries in need.
The group is currently on a bike hunt, in particular for mountain and hybrid bikes that are gathering dust in sheds and backyards across Perth.
The donated bikes will be shipped in a container 10,000 kilometres to the African country of Namibia.
“The finance for this first container to Namibia has been provided by Perth resources company, Bannerman Resources,” Bicycles for Humanity West Australian chairman David Tucker said.
“Our other sponsors have contributed to the costs of bike collection and ensuring the local Bicycle Empowerment Centre has the resources it requires.”
Tucker said B4H was indebted to Bannerman Resources as well as its other mining industry related sponsors, which include:
Komatsu;
Deep Yellow;
Amec Minproc;
Langer Heinrich Uranium;
Stone Ridge Ventures;
Bright Generation;
Genalysis Intertek;
Toro Energy;
Brains Trust;
Minter Ellison;
Digirock; and
Intierra.
Bannerman Resources chief executive officer Len Jubber said his company was very pleased to support the B4H WA inaugural shipment of bikes to Namibia.
“We are working very closely with communities in the Erongo Region of Namibia and consider the development of Bicycle Empowerment Centres as a very positive contribution to the local community,” Jubber said.
Once these unloved and un-used machines arrive in Namibia they will be given a new lease of life and be used to make a significant difference to the daily lives of hundreds of people.
This is the first time that Perth people have had the opportunity to be involved with this life changing program and B4H is hoping the local population don’t hold back in coming forward.
“We are very excited to get our first bike collection in Perth underway”, Tucker said.
“By donating that old bike sitting in the shed or hanging around gathering dust, people can help break the cycle of poverty by providing sustainable transport for one person.
“A bike allows someone to travel twice as far, twice as fast and to carry four times the load.
“In the countries in which B4H works, a bike can mean access to education, health care, fresh water, economic opportunity and community.”
B4H Perth is the third Bicycles for Humanity chapter founded in Australia and this first shipment of bikes will create a new Bicycle Empowerment Centre in Namibia.
The Centre uses the shipping container as a bike shop. Local people are then trained to run the bike shop, maintain bikes and create a sustainable business providing critical transport to the community.
Profits from the bike shop also support local health initiatives.
B4H Perth has established bike collection points at Swanview Aquatic Centre car park, off Gray Drive, Midvale, or Challenge Stadium car park, off Stephenson Ave, Mt Claremont.
The collection points will be open between 9am and 3pm Saturday, 30th July.
First in line to donate a bike was local sporting legend and B4H champion Peter Matera.
David Tucker of Bicycles for Humanity, WA with former All-Australian AFL stars, Phil Matera, Peter Matera & Rob Wiley donating bikes that will help break the cycle of poverty in a community in Namibia
“This is a fantastic program that really helps people to help themselves,” Matera said.
“I am thrilled to be involved and would encourage everyone with a spare bike hanging around to bring it along to one of the collection points.”
Hybrid or geared mountain bikes are the best for the conditions in Africa, although a limited number of kids and road bikes will also be collected for shipping.
Anyone who misses the collection can still be part of B4H through the program’s partner, Perth’s leading bike stores TBE.
The TBE shops in Nedlands, Osborne Park, Belmont and Willetton will collect bikes during store hours.