10 June 2010
Salvation Army Lifehouse residents cycle for charity
A team of cyclists - all residents of The Salvation Army's Booth House Lifehouse* for homeless people - took to the road on Sunday (3 June) for the Castles Bike Ride in Swindon to raise money for charity and to raise awareness for a new social enterprise business.
The Booth House team joined hundreds of others on the annual 28-mile course to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The Castle Bike Ride started and finished at the Croft Sports Centre in Marlborough Lane, Swindon.
As well as raising money for charity, the team were also riding to raise awareness of a new social enterprise business The Salvation Army hopes to launch this autumn at Booth House in Swindon, providing affordable recycled bikes and bike repair training.
‘The residents are all experiencing homelessness but they really wanted to do something to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support,' said Liz Osborne, Business Projects Co-ordinator at Booth House. ‘As we are looking to launch ‘Recycles', our new bicycle recycling and repair business, everyone thought taking part in the Castles Bike Ride was perfect - we raise money for charity and raise awareness of our new social enterprise business!'
Recycles is an exciting and innovative business which, once the final approvals have been given, will be based at The Salvation Army's Booth House in Swindon. Plans are for Recycles to provide affordable recycled bikes, repairs and a central point for cycling news and meetings. The repair side of the Recycles business will provide recognised training and work skills for homeless men and women as well as for other volunteers interested in getting involved.
Liz Osborne added: ‘This social enterprise business will provide opportunities for both young and old to get involved in something that will be of benefit to the whole community and place Swindon on the cycling map.
‘In this project The Salvation Army is partnering with the police and probation service and is supported by local companies Mid Counties Co-op and the Bank of New York Mellon. Both companies have recognised the importance of supporting local homeless people back into work and independent living through quality training and work experience.'
In anticipation of the start of Recycles, The Salvation Army is currently hoping to make contact with anyone with bike repair skills who is interested in becoming involved in the Recycles project at Booth House. For more information contact Liz Osborne 01793 401830 elizabeth.osborne@salvation army.org.uk.
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Notes to Editors
Press enquiries:
Adrian Prior-Sankey, Regional Press Officer The Salvation Army, tel: 07717 862 442
email adrian.prior-sankey@salvationarmy.org.uk
Ann Stewart, Senior Press Officer The Salvation Army, tel: 020 7367 4702 / 07801 198 439 email ann.c.stewart@salvationarmy.org.uk
Cathy Le Feuvre, Head of Media, tel: 020 7367 4516/07717 448 232 email: cathy.lefeuvre@salvationarmy.org.uk
- The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian church and registered charity, working in 121countries, and is one of the largest and most diverse providers of social welfare in the world. The Salvation Army Registered Charity Nos 214779, 215174, in Scotland SC009359, SC037691, and in Ireland CHY6399 For more information visit the website www.salvationarmy.org.uk
- The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of support and accommodation in homelessness services where 3,500 people stay every night. This includes 83 Lifehouses in the UK and Ireland, which offer accommodation to men, women and families. A Lifehouse* is a place of change, built on purpose and relationship and with a large element of fun. Service users are helped to regain their confidence, develop skills, and re-engage with mainstream society to enable them to ultimately move into a place of their own or supported housing project.
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