First Wednesday Club: You wouldn't think this could save a life

Red. Malvern star. Flowery basket on the front. That’s my first bicycle. Got it was when I was seven-years-old and it was my transport of choice when it came to childhood capers. Seriously, when I was playing Charlie’s Angels (wearing swimmers, mum’s high heels and armed with a super-soaker) I arrested my dog Mac soooo much faster when I could pursue him on the Malvern Star.

Fond biking memories aside, a bike isn’t exactly the first thing that, you know, springs to mind when I think about ways to help people in developing nations.  Money.  Education. Clothes. Yep, I get all that. But a bike? A BIKE?

It wasn’t until I got chatting to my friend Tara Castle (a cash-poor, energy-rich philanthropist) that I found out how a bike can save a life.

So for this month’s First Wednesday Club we’re choosing Bikes 4 LIfe. I’ll let Tara  explain …

Bikes 4 Life is a global community initiative, based in Melbourne,  dedicated to providing both new and second-hand bicycles to underprivileged youth, helping the most vulnerable and neglected groups within society both in Australia and overseas.

So maybe you’re wondering how exactly your old bike can help save a life?

A bike means greater access to food, water, employment, health facilities and education.  Places too far to walk, suddenly become a bike-ride away.  For example, Bikes 4 Life send bikes to the most isolated and war-ravaged districts in Northern Uganda (Gulu, Pader and Kitgum) which have been affected by a brutal 22-year long war. Similarly, Bikes 4 Life are currently collecting and repairing bicycles for marginalised indigenous communities in Central Australia allowing greater access to education and health facilities.

On a local level, the charity is also handing out bikes for disadvantaged youth and families most in need in Melbourne.

The charity is the brainchild of the amazing Ebony Butler, Director of Atlantic Star Productions. While researching and filming a documentary on child soldiers in Uganda in 2009, Emily was prompted to start her own  human rights and anti-slavery awareness campaign to help the communities she visited.  She is determined to help end the use of child soldiers worldwide.

So this month we’re not asking Mamamia readers to donate money. Instead, if you  have an old unused bike in your household or if you’re handy with a spanner then consider donating your old bike or attending one of Bikes 4 Life’s  bike-building workshops!  There are collection points and workshops in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, click here for more details. To follow Bikes 4 Life on Facebook, click here.

What are your favourite bike memories?  Do you still ride a bike today?