Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council together with Rotary Dublin, Rotary Ireland, The Defence Forces and The Irish Prison Service are appealing for the donation of unwanted bikes for the School Bikes Africa Initiative. The Project has been running for over 6 years, nationally lead by Rotary Ireland and with the co-operation and assistance of Local Authorities, the Department of Environment Climate and Communications (DECC), the Defence Forces and the Prison Service.
Bicycles can be left into Ballyogan Recycling Park during the following opening hours:
Monday-Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm
Saturday 9:30am-5:30am
Sundays/Bank Holidays 10:30am-5:30am
Over 5,000 bikes have been collected, repaired and shipped to countries such as The Gambia where school students use the bikes to enable them to access education. They often travel distances greater than 10 kilometres to get to school. “Rotary Ireland is delighted to see the launch of the 18th collection centre for School Bikes Africa, and to welcome Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to the team. Together we can both improve the environment and enrich lives.” David Murray District Governor of Rotary
Jason Dempsey of Rotary Ireland summed it up in saying;
“The School Bikes Africa Initiative is a Win, Win, Win; a Win for climate change given the benefits of repair and reuse as well as promoting sustainable transport. A Win for prison inmates providing opportunities for training and rehabilitation and a Win for School Students in Africa in providing a better chance for availing of education”.