New charity boosting confidence through cycling

A new charity is aiming to boost confidence in adults with neurological or physical disabilities through the power of cycling.

David George, 60, is the honorary chair and trustee of Bike Active North Suffolk (BANS) based in Halesworth.

After noticing a gap within adult disability cycling and finding a love for volunteering, Mr George set up the charity last year and is now looking to expand the sessions.

A recent fundraiser saw Suffolk-born Paralympian and swimmer Will Ellard kick-off the event, which was described as "inspiring".

After retiring, Mr George found a love for volunteering in 2018.

He volunteered with national accessible cycling charity Wheels for All at sessions for disability groups in Norwich, before he was approached with an idea of setting something similar up in north Suffolk.

He saw how much people in Norwich loved the group and the benefits it had for both them and their carers.

Preparations for BANS got under way in February last year and by July it had its first general meeting and the trustees were appointed.

Six months later, Mr George has been able to get some individual clients involved, as well as groups in Halesworth, for some sessions.

"What you can see when you do these session is that the clients absolutely love it," Mr George explained.

"In Halesworth we have chosen a route which is part of the national Sustrans route one, which passes through the really lovely Halesworth Millennium Green.

"It's vehicle free so all they encounter is other cyclists, dog walkers and pedestrians.

"It's all about social interaction as well, so the clients can talk amongst themselves and to the volunteers."

Safety is a key part with routes being tested and carers, as well as volunteers, staying with clients during the sessions.

As well as aiming to recruit more volunteers, the charity is fundraising for equipment.

Snap Gym in Beccles recently hosted the charity's 500-mile sponsored spin bike challenge over 24 hours.

Swimmer Ellard, who is from the town, started the event, which Mr George said was "inspiring".

"Personally I was a bit gutted because I had a bad back so I couldn't cycle, but the volunteers and mainly the gym members... sailed through the target and cycled about 558 miles," he said.

"Everyone had a lot of fun... we smashed the target and we had some really good banter."

Mr George previously cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats where he raised £1,400 for the charity, which he said was an "incredible" achievement for himself.

By spring, Mr George hoped the charity would be doing regular fortnightly sessions for clients and he hoped to expand to other areas within north Suffolk.

"We're getting toward the fun bit and that is delivering to clients," he said.

"There's nothing that can beat the feedback and the expression that you can get from clients on the day and the carers."

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