OWL Bikes is issuing a plea for help from Cambridgeshire residents for high quality children's bikes in good working condition that can be used to help Ukrainian refugees.

OWL Bikes has joined up with South Cambridgeshire District Council and Camtrust to give free second-hand quality bikes – with a helmet and lock – to guests from Ukraine who have arrived in South Cambridgeshire under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Residents who may have a spare or not needed children's bicycle at home are being encouraged to donate it, so the cycles can be refurbished and passed to guests from Ukraine.

Helena Harris, Director of Operations at Papworth Trust, said: “Everyone at Papworth Trust has been shocked and saddened to see the events unfolding in Ukraine. We are all somebody’s friend, child, sibling, parent or partner – and the thought of our European neighbours living through such unimaginable suffering is heart-breaking. OWL Bikes is delighted to join in partnership with South Cambridgeshire District Council and be able to offer practical support to the Ukrainian refugees. We rely on the generosity of people donating their old bikes, so if you have a good quality bike you would like to donate please contact Barry Davis on 01223 839580.”

About the scheme

The bicycle scheme is available to any Ukrainian refugees, including children, who are residing in South Cambridgeshire under the Homes for Ukraine programme. Hosts may wish to apply on behalf of guests.

Once a guest applies for a bike and the Council has confirmed they are eligible, they will be put in touch with the supplier nearest to them so that they can arrange to collect their bicycle. Where no transport is immediately available for hosts to collect bikes, such as if host family has no car, a community group may be able to assist. The Council can help link hosts and guests through to their local community group and District Councillors if needed. Guests or hosts can ask for this support, and raise any further queries or concerns around bicycle collection, by emailing duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk
If bikes are no longer needed, they can be returned to the supplier.