Michael’s bikes are going to Africa

The business community have come to the rescue and helped Michael Skene, a local Canberra high school student, ship over 200 second-hand bikes to Africa.

As part of a year-long high school project, the Telopea Park School Year 10 student collected and repaired over 200 bikes, which have been donated by local families. They will be sent, via a charity in Cape Town, to people of all ages in rural communities in South Africa.

ActewAGL, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Abletts Transport, Quaternary Resources, Switched on Cycles, Richard Luton Properties and individual donors all contributed to raising the money to cover the cost of a shipping container and sea freight.

ActewAGL Director Sales, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Paul Walshe said, “ActewAGL led the way to help raise the funds to help make Michael’s dream of shipping these bikes to Africa a reality. On behalf of ActewAGL, I would like to thank all the businesses who contributed to this project.”

Michael said, “We have been overwhelmed by the support of Canberra towards this project.

“After months of hard work, it is so exciting to see the bikes finally leave for Africa.

“In many cases, these bikes were gathering dust in people’s garages. They will now have a second-life in Africa, being used by people of all ages for recreation and as an essential means of transport.

“Thanks so much to all involved, particularly the businesses that donated money to cover the costs of shipping the bikes to Africa.”