Bikes abandoned on Sussex railways find new life and help the unemployed

Lee Johnson and James Fallick from facilities GTR Southern, Southern and Gatwick Express engagement officer Rob Whitehead, Lee Wakefield of the SCDA Employability Programme, and Paul Horta-Hopkins of the SCDA Re:Cycle project

Train operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) donated more than 75 abandoned bikes to Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) to use as part of their Get Socially Active Re:cycle project.

Bikes are refurbished by volunteers and people wanting to gain work experience from across Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Seaford, and the surrounding villages.

People taking part in the project may be out of work for a variety of reasons such as caring responsibilities or long-term illness.

Donated bikes are cleaned and repaired before being sold to new owners, with all funds being reinvested into the project.

Jude Day, SCDA Employability Programme manager, said: “This is a great opportunity for Get Socially Active participants to refurbish these unwanted and unloved bikes.

“We are very grateful to Govia Thameslink Railway for donating the bikes and we look forward to welcoming more volunteers into the Re:cycle bike workshop to join the team in giving these unwanted bikes a new lease of life.”

Southern customer services director, Chris Fowler, said: “We’re delighted to support the communities we serve by making this donation.

“I’m really pleased that these otherwise unwanted bicycles will have such a positive impact on people’s lives, giving them confidence and new skills.”

All of the donated bicycles were found around Sussex railways and GTR attempts to contact the owners before taking the bikes to its Horsham depot.

More information about the Re:cycle project can be found at the Sussex Community Development Association website.