Cycling boost for city's disabled

Sheffield Cycling 4 All, which is part of Disability Sheffield, has received £46,000 through HealthRich and is now able to loan bikes at just £3 per session.

The funding will also allow the group, which currently runs every Thursday, to run weekly sessions on another day, and is looking for volunteers to help with this.

One of its organisers, Caroline Waugh, of Totley, said: “Having brain damage, epilepsy, impaired vision, broken limbs, lymphoedemia and cancer didn’t stop my passion for cycling, which is why I helped to set up Sheffield Cycling 4 All.

“It’s so important to be energised and feel the fresh air on your face. And what we do here is help people do the best they can.

“We’re delighted to have the extra funding as it means we can get more people on our bikes and hire them out at a discounted rate. One of our customers, a 79 year old woman, told me she takes 12 tablets a day for her health but nothing makes her feel better than cycling around the park with us.

“I wouldn’t like to say we can do everything but we’ve never had a disability we’ve not been able to cater for. We want more people to be able to use our bikes and are delighted that we can set up extra sessions. We’re now looking for more volunteers and even more support for our organisation.”

Sheffield Cycling 4 All runs from Hillsborough Park. People can turn up to a session and borrow one of 17 bikes, suitable for people with different needs including wheelchair users and complex learning disabilities.

Visit www.disabilitysheffield.org.uk for details.