LOCAL resident Andrew Court (45) has won three public grants to start 3R Cycles, a specialist charity helping individuals suffering mental illness to grow in confidence by repairing, reconditioning and making reclaimed bikes road-safe again.

Thanks to a long-term donation by DJ Property and three government grants, the registered charity will be able to meet three times a week at secure, modern premises on the Granby Industrial Estate.

The organisation has received grants totalling £8,500. £4,000 came from the Synergy Housing Community Fund (£2,000 from Weymouth and Portland and £2,000 from East Dorset). Other contributions include a £2,500 grant from Dorset County Council’s Accessibility fund and £2,000 from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council as part of the Communities for Health funding.

DJ Property’s donation will be used to pay part of the monthly rent for the workshop, while the Dorset County Council and Synergy funds set up the bike workshop, providing the cash needed to purchase professional tools, benches and storage systems.

The service is part of Rethink Mental Illness, a national charity set up to help all people, including carers, who suffer or come into contact with mental illness. Nationally they promote mental health and aim to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Andrew Court is the Service Lead for Weymouth and Portland Community Service. He has successfully sought funding, created 3R Cycles and gone on to work closely with people suffering mental illness. Andrew is able to help people with mental illness, including offenders, make real progress in their lives.

Those suffering the effects of mental illness are able to attend the workshop to learn cycle repair and servicing, which in turn provides crucial work experience transferable to the local job market. For those taking part, it also raises self-esteem and confidence.

The cycles are donated by Dorset Police and members of the local community. The initiative also renovates bikes donated by members of the public. 3R Cycles are always actively looking for old and unused bikes. Please see contact details below.

The repaired bikes enter a lengthy reconditioning phase to make the cycles safe and reliable. They are then screen-checked to meet a strict safety-check list before being offered for sale. Prices range from £20-£100 dependent on make, size and condition.

Andrew Court, Service Lead for Weymouth and Portland Community Service, said: ‘I’m delighted this project is up and running and giving such a real benefit to those attending. Thanks to their hard work and diligence we’re able to offer reasonably priced, safe cycles to people in the area. I’m extremely thankful to the organisations who have given funding to get this off the ground. These include Dorset County Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Synergy and DJ Property.’

Notes to editors

For more details please contact Andrew Court on 07866 252 0488.

• The 3R Cycles workshop is behind Boisse Windows, 8A Cambridge Road, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth. It currently is open Tues-Thurs 9.30-4 but hopes to open for five days a week before long. The project is always looking for cycles to be donated and volunteers to help run it.

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